Individual differences in the theory of mind and superior temporal sulcus.
We investigated the brain area with regard to individual differences in the theory of mind. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined the brain area in which signal intensity was apparently related to performance of a theory-of-mind task on multiple regression analysis. A significant relation was observed between performance of theory-of-mind task and activation in the left anterior superior temporal sulcus. We could not find such an activation in the superior temporal sulcus and the temporo-parietal junction area. The present findings provide new evidence that the anterior superior temporal sulcus might dictate individual differences in theory of mind.
Otsuka
Yuki
Y
Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. yotsuka@bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Osaka
Naoyuki
N
Ikeda
Takashi
T
Osaka
Mariko
M
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*