Theory Of Mind

Theory Of Mind 

Aim 

• Provide more support for cognitive explanation of autism 
• Tests theory of mind

Participants 

 Group 1: 16 participants, 13 males and 3 females, 4 high functioning autism and 12 with aspergers, IQ = 105.3

Group 2: 50 participants, 25 males and 25 females, IQ = normal, general population of cambridge

Group 3: 10 particpants, 8 males and 2 females, age matched with group 1, Touretteres syndrome IQ = 103.5 

Method 

• Quasi 
• Eyes  task (25 standardized photos)
• control tasks: gender recognition, basic emotion task
• Happes strange stories for concurrent validity 

Results

Austism/Aspergers = 16.3

Control = 20.3

Tourettes = 20.4

• Group 1 more likely to make mistakes
• females in normal grouo preformed better than males
• No difference in control task

Conclusions 

• Lack of theory of mind is core deficit in autism spectrum
• Poor preformance on eyes task not due to low intelligence
• Could not be developmental neuro-physciatric disability as tourettes syndrom had no difficulty in eyes task 

Evaluation 

 Strength:

• High control over variables
• Standardized = more easily establish cause and effect 
• Quantitative Data 

Weaknesses 

• Low ecological validity 
• Low mundane realism = easier than demands of real life