Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own. Deficits occur in people with autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, as well as neurotoxicity due to alcohol abuse. Though there are philosophical approaches to issues raised in such discussions, the theory of mind as such is distinct from the philosophy of mind.
Read more about Theory Of Mind: Defining Theory of Mind, Philosophical Roots, Theory of Mind Development, Empirical Investigation, Theory of Mind Deficits, Non-human Theory of Mind
Famous quotes containing the words theory of, theory and/or mind:
“If my theory of relativity is proven correct, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.”
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
“A theory if you hold it hard enough
And long enough gets rated as a creed....”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“These facts have always suggested to man the sublime creed that the world is not the product of manifold power, but of one will, of one mind; and that one mind is everywhere active, in each ray of the star, in each wavelet of the pool; and whatever opposes that will is everywhere balked and baffled, because things are made so, and not otherwise.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)