Mind theory is a socio-cognitive ability that allows you to connect with others. This skill goes far beyond the classic: “I think you feel or think that now. “
In fact, this ability allows us to understand that what others feel and think can be very different from what we experience at any given time.
- This concept introduced by psychologist and anthropologist Gregory Batenson is essential so that we can understand much of our social behavior.
- One way or another.
- The theory of the mind allows us to realize that the people around us have different thoughts and beliefs than our own.
Humans, like many animals, are forced to predict the behavior of others, understand what others may think or feel to adjust their behavior.
So we face a number of very sophisticated cognitive processes: ’emotionally advanced technology’.
? We’re what we think. Everything we are comes with our thoughts. With our thoughts, let’s build the world?. ? Buddha?
Empathy is generally referred to as an essential skill capable of facilitating human connection, in fact, few psychological realities act as this basic social cement to help us connect and take into account the perspectives of others.
Now, we will not be wrong if we say that the theory of mind is much more important in our social relationships.
Empathy helps us know that others can feel the same way we can, Batenson’s theory allows us to understand that their reality and mine can be very different.
She’s the one who helps me realize, for example, that you may be lying to me. Also understand that you may react differently to certain stimuli.
All these processes are essential in our social relationships, in which the brain performs fabulous tasks that allow us to survive, adapt and connect meaningfully within the environment.
The brain is a predictive machine with a fundamental goal: to reduce the uncertainty of the environment, which explains, as indicated by a study conducted at the University of Michigan by Dr. John Anderson, the great importance of mind theory in our social environments.
People need to predict not only the behavior of those around them, it is also important to understand their knowledge, intentions, beliefs and emotions, so we adjust our behavior taking into account the factors we learn intuitively.
On the other hand, it is interesting to note that animals also have this sophisticated skill, interesting studies have been conducted to discover, for example, that chimpanzees possess this socio-cognitive ability through which they anticipate the behaviors of certain individuals.
In this way, they can outwit potential rivals and even facilitate proactive behavior for the benefit of the group.
Human development studies indicate that the faculties associated with mind theory appear in children over 4 years of age, it is from this stage that children begin to have more abstract and sophisticated thoughts.
In addition, they understand that others also have different intentions, desires, and the people around them may have different thoughts and opinions.
On the other hand, we cannot forget another aspect: researcher Simon Baron-Cohen, from the University of Cambridge, has conducted several studies and research in which he suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder have serious flaws in mind theory.
We know, for example, that children and adults with autism exhibit certain empathic behaviors, perceive pain or anxiety in others, but have difficulty anticipating the behavior of others.
In these cases, social interactions are confusing and difficult, as this mental ability to narrate reactions fails to connect with others, so they end up not understanding that others can think, feel, and react differently to them.
Schizophrenic patients also show this same metacognitive reality, which makes it very difficult to connect and differentiate between their own mental states and those of others.
John Locke said that human happiness is a disposition of the mind, not a condition of circumstance. One way or another, we have to admit that this mental universe is one of the most fascinating and complex scenarios.
Human beings, like many animal species, have the main ability to connect to understand each other, thus being able to better adapt to the environment and, in turn, facilitate the continuity of life itself.
Finally, the theory of the mind has a curious aspect, through it we understand each other better and anticipate behaviors, needs and thoughts to react accordingly, however, the goal is not always noble.
We know that thanks to the theory of the mind we are able to deceive and manipulate others, so, in conclusion, it is up to us to make good use of these wonderful capabilities that we have. realizing it, it keeps evolving.