Theory of Mind: Autism and Typical Developmental

The ability to mentalize that is to understand and manipulate other people’s behavior in terms of their mental states, is a major factor in successful social interactions. Specific impairments of mentalizing in both developmental and acquired disorders suggest that this ability depends on a dedicated and circumscribed brain system. Functional imaging studies implicate medial prefrontal cortex and posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) as components of this system. Mentalizing capacities are acquired in first attachment relationships, they are the basis of empathy (i.e the consciousness and sharing of other’s mental states). The lack of mentalization is the consequence of the failure of parental reflective capacities and of dysfunctions of attachment and family relationships. Research evidenced that these conditions are correlated with the development of insecure attachment, psychiatric diseases (autism, personality disorders, eating disorders, depression), aggressive and antisocial behaviors.