Executive function mechanisms of Theory of Mind
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between Executive Function (EF) and Theory of Mind (ToM) using the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) and three tests of ToM (Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (RMET), Strange Stories test, and Faux Pas test). Separate regression analyses were conducted, and EF predictors varied by ToM test. No EF domains accounted for significant variance in RMET scores; only estimated IQ scores were significant predictors of RMET performance. Verbal fluency and deductive reasoning were significant predictors of performance on the Strange Stories test, while verbal fluency, problem solving, and gender accounted for a significant variance in the Faux Pas test. Results suggest that the ToM tests each utilized differing cognitive mechanisms.
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In general, verbal abilities are associated with performance on the Eyes Test.
“In general, verbal abilities are associated with performance on the Eyes Test (Golan et al., 2006; Ahmed and Miller, 2011; Peterson and Miller, 2012; cf. Ferguson and Austin, 2010 who found no relation).”
From A psychometric analysis of the reading the mind in the eyes test: toward a brief form for research and applied settings (2015) · cites this paper as Ahmed and Miller, 2011
Previous research suggests that at the manifest level, the Eyes Test is weakly related to verbal fluency.
“Previous research suggests that at the manifest level, the Eyes Test is weakly related to verbal fluency (Ahmed and Miller, 2011) and moderately related to verbal IQ (Golan et al., 2006; Peterson and Miller, 2012).”
From A psychometric analysis of the reading the mind in the eyes test: toward a brief form for research and applied settings (2015) · cites this paper as Ahmed and Miller, 2011
Within studies of typical individuals, these results are likely to explain why poor correlations have been reported between the RMET and alternative tests of ToM.
“Within studies of typical individuals, these results are also likely to explain why poor correlations have been reported between the RMET and alternative tests of ToM, such as the Strange Stories Test and the Faux Pas Test (Ahmed & Stephen Miller, 2011; Spek, Scholte, & van Berckelaer-Onnes, 2010).”
From ‘Theory of Mind’ is not Theory of Emotion: a cautionary note on the reading the Mind in the Eyes test (2016) · cites this paper as Ahmed & Stephen Miller, 2011
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“The RMET requires a participant to study the expressions of actors’ eyes and determine which emotion they are conveying from four possible choices ( Baron-Cohen et al. 2001 ).”
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“Examples include the ability to inhibit behavior, shift cognitive sets, plan how to solve a problem, and generate behaviors with categorical or phonemic constrictions ( Anderson 2002; Delis et al. 2001).”
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- Authors
- Ahmed, F. S., & Stephen Miller, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ahmed, Fayeza S.
- ORCID
- Ahmed, Fayeza S.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2010-09-01
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 667-678
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W2045681212
- Cited by
- 211
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 12.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Keywords
- executive function, theory of mind, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Faux Pas Test, verbal fluency, deductive reasoning, problem solving, IQ, gender differences, autism spectrum disorder
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Intelligence Tests, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Regression Analysis, Sex Factors, Executive Function, Theory of Mind
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