Theory of mind, social development, and psychosis.
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.
Casacchia
Massimo
M
Department of Psychiatry, University of L'Aquila, Blocco 11, Via Vetoio, Coppito, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy. massimo.casacchia@cc.univaq.it
Mazza
Monica
M
Roncone
Rita
R
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D010553:Personality Development; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012938:Social Perception; D013850:Thinking