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Assessing theory of mind with nonverbal procedures: Problems with training methods and an alternative “key” procedure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1998

Juan Carlos Gómez
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9JU, United Kingdomjg5@st-andrews.ac.uk

Abstract

This commentary criticizes nonverbal methods of assessing theory-of-mind on the basis of prior training of the critical response because they would encourage simple, nonmentalistic, associative solutions even in subjects with mentalistic capacities. I propose instead a new experimental paradigm based upon the use of spontaneous responses in less artificial situations. This method has already provided positive evidence of some level of ToM understanding in nonhuman primates.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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