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Theory of mind and the “somatic marker mechanism” (SMM)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 December 2002

Bruce G. Charlton
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdombruce.g.charlton@ncl.ac.uk www.hedweb.com/bgcharlton/

Abstract

The “somatic marker mechanism” (SMM; Damasio 1994) is proposed as the cognitive and neural basis of the theory of mind mechanism. The SMM evolved for evaluating the intentions, dispositions, and relationships of conspecifics; hence, it is adaptive in the social domain. It is predicted that chimpanzees will indeed have theory of mind (ToM) ability, but that this will be socially domain-specific. Domain-general ToM will be found only in primates with abstract, symbolic language (adult humans). Putative ToM tests require revision in the light of these distinctions.

Type
Continuing Commentary
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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