Can only intelligent children do mind reading: The relationship between intelligence and theory of mind in 8 to 11 years old

• Main Authors: Raveendran Anoop L, Yovan Simpson, Rajkumar Anto P, Russell Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-11-01
• Series: Behavioral and Brain Functions
• Online Access: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/4/1/51

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mind reading ability of children has evoked wide interest, but its relationship with general cognitive abilities remains obscure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied the relationship between the mind reading ability and general intelligence. Children (N = 105) between 8 to 11 years from educational institutions were assessed for the mind reading ability using <it>Picture Sequencing Task </it>and <it>Unexpected Contents Theory of Mind task</it>. We used <it>Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire </it>to rule out psychiatric morbidity. An independent investigator quantified intelligence and adaptive behavior with <it>Binet- Kamat Test of intelligence </it>and <it>Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale </it>respectively. We employed bivariate and multivariate statistical tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrated that mind reading ability was not significantly related to general intelligence or its domains except for the social intelligence after controlling the confounders methodologically and statistically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings argue that mind reading skill exists as an independent cognitive domain and has clinical, research as well as educational implications.</p>