Mõteteooriad

Mõteteooriad, or theory of mind, refers to the cognitive ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intentions, desires, emotions, etc.—to oneself and to others, and to understand that others have mental states that are different from one's own. This capacity is crucial for effective social interaction, allowing individuals to predict and explain the behavior of others.

The development of theory of mind typically begins in infancy and continues through early childhood. Infants show early precursors, such as joint attention and understanding of goal-directed actions. By around 18 months, toddlers start to understand desires. A significant milestone is often observed around four to five years of age when children begin to pass "false-belief tasks," which assess their ability to understand that someone else might hold a belief that is contrary to reality.

Deficits in theory of mind are a core characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), where individuals may struggle to understand the perspectives and intentions of others. It is also implicated in other neurodevelopmental conditions and psychiatric disorders.

Research in theory of mind draws from various fields, including developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and philosophy. Neuroimaging studies have identified specific brain regions, such as the medial prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal junction, that are involved in theory of mind processing. Understanding how theory of mind develops and functions is fundamental to comprehending human social cognition and its disorders.