Theory of mind, social development, and psychosis

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2004 Jun;6(3):183-9. doi: 10.1007/s11920-004-0063-3.

Abstract

The difficulty in interpreting other people's mental states found in children with autism and in people affected by schizophrenia may be explained in terms of a unique mental process called Theory of Mind. The paper discusses the main operational issues of such a peculiar aspect of social cognition, the Theory of Mind, and its implication in schizophrenia, including a review of its related neural structures. Theory of Mind abilities may be a relevant aspect of social interaction involving people affected by schizophrenia, and they need to be further investigated in clinical research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / psychology
  • Cognition
  • Humans
  • Personality Development*
  • Psychological Theory*
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology*
  • Schizophrenia / rehabilitation
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Social Perception*
  • Thinking