Portuguese Adaptation of a Faux Pas Test and a Theory of Mind Picture Stories Task.
BACKGROUND
Developmental concepts of 'Theory of Mind' (ToM) suggest that this cognitive domain is an innate human capacity requiring input from the social environment to mature. Research suggests substantial individual differences in ToM, depending on childhood experiences, genetics, and the presence or absence of a neuropsychiatric disorder. None of the existing ToM tests for adult populations have been made available in Portuguese. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese versions of the Faux Pas (FP) Recognition Test and the ToM Picture Stories Task.


METHODS
Both tests were given to a sample of 200 Portuguese adults (125 women and 75 men) aged between 18 and 60 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychometric analyses of the results indicate that the Portuguese version of the FP Recognition Test is appropriate for use in research and clinical settings, providing a composite score that reliably measures the ability to infer the thoughts and feelings of others in a 'faux pas' situation (Cronbach's α = 0.82). However, the ToM Picture Stories Task did not show acceptable psychometric qualities.
Department of Psychology and Center for Biomedical Research - CBMR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
Luís
L
Faísca
Sofia
S
Afonseca
Martin
M
Brüne
Gabriela
G
Gonçalves
Alexandra
A
Gomes
Ana Teresa
AT
Martins
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011174:Portugal; D011594:Psychometrics; D056345:Theory of Mind; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult