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.

Theory of Mind: Autism and Typical Developmental

Frolli A;Cavallaro A;
2019-01-01

Abstract

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.
2019
Theory of mind
Autism
Metacognition
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14090/5719
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
social impact