ToM

Question 1

DEFINITION

Answer 1

• Social interaction and communicative behaviours require that we understand that’s others see the world differently
• understanding others mental states mean can interpret and predict their behaviour this understanding is ToM
• we understand people have their own thoughts emotions and feelings
• Simon baron-Cohen argues that this understanding is impaired with those who have ASD
• known as mind blindness they cannot understand others internal mental states leading to social and communication impairments

Question 2

PRECURSORS TO TOM

Answer 2

• a ToM emerges out of skills that appear early in development
• these are ability to follow another persons gaze engage in pretend play and imitate others behaviour
• joint attention is a key skill an adult will draw the child’s attention to an object using gestures and gaze the child will need to understand adults intentions meaning the child understands different internal mental states
• scaife and Bruner found most can do this by 14 months however this and other skills are inspired in ASD kids

Question 3

MENTAL VS PHYSICAL

Answer 3

• baron Cohen suggests this is one of the two foundations of ToM
• an example based on baron Cohen can illustrate distinction
• one child is holding a glass of pop (physics) and the other is thinking (mental)
• child responds to various questions about what characters can do eg which one can drink it those who answer right can distinguish between physical and mental
• easy for 3/4 y/o but not for a child with ASD

Question 4

APPEARANCES VS REALITY

Answer 4

• this is the other foundation for ToM
• 4 y/o can start to understand objects are not all they seem
• eg a bath bomb that looks like a cake is really a bath bomb
• children with ASD cannot grasp this
• they may describe it as either but fail to understand that it’s appearance and nature are not the same thing