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“Theory of Mind” in Asperger's Syndrome Dermot M. Bowler
Author(s) -
Bowler Dermot M.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1992.tb01962.x
Subject(s) - psychology , asperger syndrome , theory of mind , autism , developmental psychology , mind blindness , cognition , developmental disorder , psychiatry
— Two studies are reported in which the ability of people with Asperger's syndrome to understand problems of the type “Peter thinks that Jane thinks that …” was tested. The results showed that in contrast to younger or more handicapped autistic individuals, Asperger subjects were able to solve problems of the type just outlined, i.e. that they possessed a second‐order theory of mind. When asked to explain their solutions however, they typically did not use mental state terms but did not differ in this respect either from non‐handicapped or socially impaired, chronic schizophrenic controls. The implications of the results for current cognitive theories of autistic impairment are discussed.