theory of mind

theory of mind is the quality of a subject of being able to ascribe mental states to others (objects) different from its owns and be able to operate with those.

In humans, theory of mind is not binary. It is continuos and multi-domain.

It is different just noticing that someone may have different mental state, than relating to it with those in mind.

E: I can recognize that someone may have a different form of reasoning than mine, but still try to convince it using my personal “logical” constructs.

theory of mind can be expressed as a spectrum of the capacity of the subject to relate to the other in a specific domain. In one end of the spectrum the subject does not even notice that the other is perceiving the world differently. Next to this end, the subject notices that the other’s mental state is different but is unable to identify or understand the differences. In the other end of the spectrum the subject have a full understanding of the other’s mind and is able to use it to communicate and relate fully (cognitive empathy)

theory of mind is a skill that is developed by being exposed to many contexts were the difference between mental states is recognized.

Assuming other’s have the same mental states that on-self may produce the illusion that they also share the same needs. Not recognizing that may translate in violence by unconsciously preventing other’s to meet their particular need.

E: Up until my mid twenties I had a very poor theory of mind in relation to reasoning. My reasoning was very different from most people and I was unable understand how they arrived two their conclusions. To me, at that time, given a set of information, we should arrive all to the same conclusion. I was puzzled by that and I was repeatedly asking why they were doing things in their particular way, because I may have been missing relevant information. Most people felt judgment as they felt their reasoning questioned.

E: I process emotions mostly through high level minformation abstractions as oppose to most people that process them through low level minformation abstractions. Because the majority of the population processes emotions through low level minformation abstractions is unconceivable for them that someone may no do it in the same way. Because in appearance I look “unemotional”, they extrapolate that I may not have feelings or emotions.

E: My memory works slightly different than from most people. After an event, I don’t recall the specific details but the conclusion that I’ve arrived just right after. Sometimes is just the memory of an emotion and some times is a full narrative, but they’re not representative of the occurred event, instead they’re the conclusion I took from it. This mental state is amazing for keeping a coherent worldview up-to-date but is a problem when dealing with day to day tasks.

E: I have strong ADHD and suffer from being executive, memorizing things, keeping track of time, being over-motivated and being under-motivated. People surrounding me still gets angry and frustrated as they expect for me to have different capacities.

E: I have strong ADHD and suffer from being executive, memorizing things, keeping track of time, being over-motivated and being under-motivated. People surrounding me still gets angry and frustrated as they expect for me to have different capacities.