Meta-analyses comparing theory of mind abilities of individuals with autism, individuals with mental retardation, and normally developing individuals.

Abstract

A deficit in theory of mind (ToM) abilities has been described as the core deficit in autism. The authors performed 3 meta-analyses, comparing ToM abilities of individuals with autism, individuals with mental retardation (MR), and normally developing individuals. Results indicated that individuals with autism and MR have impaired ToM abilities. The etiology associated with MR (i.e., Down syndrome, undifferentiated etiology) was found to be an important moderator variable. Chronological age (CA) and verbal mental age (VMA) of the normally developing children and CA, VMA, and performance mental age of individuals with MR, and type of matching between the groups were also found to be moderator variables. Discussion focuses on the implication of the findings and emphasizes the need to consider the specific etiology of comparison groups when studying abilities and impairments of individuals with autism and MR.

Cites (8)

1. Does the autistic child have a “theory of mind” ?
   Baron-Cohen, Simon, Leslie, Alan M., Frith, Uta · 1985 · Cognition
2. Beliefs about beliefs: Representation and constraining function of wrong beliefs in young children's understanding of deception
   Wimmer, H · 1983 · Cognition
3. Pretense and representation: The origins of "theory of mind."
   Leslie, Alan M. · 1987 · Psychological Review
4. Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: Epidemiology and classification
   Wing, Lorna, Gould, Judith · 1979 · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
5. Executive function deficits in high-functioning autistic individuals: Relationship to theory of mind
   Ozonoff, Sally, Pennington, Bruce F., Rogers, Sally J. · 1991 · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
6. Schizophrenia, symptomatology and social inference: Investigating “theory of mind” in people with schizophrenia
   Corcoran, Rhiannon, Mercer, Gavin, Frith, Christopher D. · 1995 · Schizophrenia Research
7. The Role of Age and Verbal Ability in the Theory of Mind Task Performance of Subjects with Autism
   Happe, Francesca G. E. · 1995 · Child Development
8. ToMM, ToBY, and Agency: Core architecture and domain specificity
   Leslie, Alan M. · 1994 · Mapping the Mind

Show all 8 references

Cited by (51)

1. Meta-Analysis of Theory-of-Mind Development: The Truth about False Belief
   Wellman, Henry M, Cross, David, Watson, Julanne · 2001 · Child Development
2. Effectiveness of L2 instruction: A research synthesis and quantitative meta-analysis
   Norris, John M., Ortega, Lourdes · 2000 · Language Learning
3. Visual fixation patterns during viewing of naturalistic social situations as predictors of social competence in individuals with autism
   Klin, Ami, Jones, Warren, Schultz, Robert, Volkmar, Fred, Cohen, Donald · 2002 · Archives of General Psychiatry
4. Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
   Johnson, Chris Plauché, Myers, Scott M., and the Council on Children With Disabilities · 2007 · Pediatrics
5. How Big Is “Big”? Interpreting Effect Sizes in L2 Research
   Plonsky, Luke, Oswald, Frederick L. · 2014 · Language Learning

See all 470