The Lens Shapes the View

on Task Dependency in ToM Research

verfasst von: Christina Breil, Anne Böckler
Abstract: Purpose of Review: This article provides an overview of current findings on Theory of Mind (ToM) in human children and adults and highlights the relationship between task specifications and their outcome in socio-cognitive research. Recent Findings: ToM, the capacity to reason about and infer others’ mental states, develops progressively throughout childhood—the exact time course is still a matter of debate. Neuroimaging studies indicate the involvement of a widespread neuronal network during mentalizing, suggesting that ToM is a multifaceted process. Accordingly, the tasks and trainings that currently exist to investigate and enhance ToM are heterogeneous, and the outcomes largely depend on the paradigm that was used. Summary: We argue for the implementation of multiple-task batteries in the assessment of socio-cognitive abilities. Decisions for a particular paradigm need to be carefully considered and justified. We want to emphasize the importance of targeted research on the relationship between task specifications and outcomes.
Organisationseinheit(en): Institut für Psychologie
Externe Organisation(en): Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Max-Planck-Institut für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften
Typ: Übersichtsarbeit
Journal: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports
Band: 7
Seiten: 41-50
Anzahl der Seiten: 10
Publikationsdatum: 06.2020
Publikationsstatus: Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Öffentliche Gesundheit, Umwelt- und Arbeitsmedizin, Behaviorale Neurowissenschaften
Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung: SDG 3 – Gute Gesundheit und Wohlergehen
Elektronische Version(en): https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-020-00205-6 (Zugang: Offen)

BibTeX

@article{742039e97a764ae6bc68b8f776bc936d,
title = "The Lens Shapes the View: on Task Dependency in ToM Research",
abstract = "Purpose of Review: This article provides an overview of current findings on Theory of Mind (ToM) in human children and adults and highlights the relationship between task specifications and their outcome in socio-cognitive research. Recent Findings: ToM, the capacity to reason about and infer others{\textquoteright} mental states, develops progressively throughout childhood—the exact time course is still a matter of debate. Neuroimaging studies indicate the involvement of a widespread neuronal network during mentalizing, suggesting that ToM is a multifaceted process. Accordingly, the tasks and trainings that currently exist to investigate and enhance ToM are heterogeneous, and the outcomes largely depend on the paradigm that was used. Summary: We argue for the implementation of multiple-task batteries in the assessment of socio-cognitive abilities. Decisions for a particular paradigm need to be carefully considered and justified. We want to emphasize the importance of targeted research on the relationship between task specifications and outcomes.",
keywords = "Mentalizing, Perspective taking, Social cognition, Social interaction, Task dependency, Theory of mind",
author = "Christina Breil and Anne B{\"o}ckler",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (grant number BO 4962/1-1). Acknowledgements ",
year = "2020",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1007/s40473-020-00205-6",
language = "English",
volume = "7",
pages = "41--50",
journal = "Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports",
issn = "2196-2979",
publisher = "Springer International Publishing AG",
number = "2",
}