Deck 10: Social Cognition

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct sequence for the components of Baron-Cohen's theory of mind model?

A) Intentionality Detector ID), Eye-direction Director EDD), Shared Attention Mechanism SAM), Theory of Mind Module TOMM)
B) Theory of Mind Module TOMM), Shared Attention Mechanism SAM), Eye-direction Director EDD), Intentionality Detector ID)
C) Shared Attention Mechanism SAM), Intentionality Detector ID), Eye-direction Director EDD), Theory of Mind Module TOMM)
D) Eye-direction Director EDD), Shared Attention Mechanism SAM), Theory of Mind Module TOMM), Intentionality Detector ID),

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Eyes give off many social cues. What are some key cues provided by the eyes in social interaction?

Answer 2

One key cue provided by eyes is mutual gaze, which signals that the attention of both individuals is directed to each other. Gaze following is another key cue, where one person's gaze 'follows' the gaze of the other person, directing attention to the gazed-upon item or person. Related to gaze following is shared attention, where both persons focus their attention on a third object or person as well as on each other.

Question 3

Briefly describe what is meant by a 'Theory of Mind' TOM).

Answer 3

The ability to understand and predict our own and others' minds is called the Theory of Mind. This ability includes the capability to recognize and respond to the invisible, internal subjective regularities that account for the behaviors of others. We not only need to plan and sequentially organize our own lives, we frequently need to organize our actions in conjunction with others. To succeed in this, we must not only be able to have an action plan of our own, we must also have an insight into the nature of the other fellow's action plan.

Question 4

The ability to understand each other as conscious beings with internal mental states is known as

A) Cooperative synchrony
B) Mirroring
C) Social cognition
D) Theory of mind/brain

Question 5

The fusiform face area is found in the

A) Inferior temporal lobe
B) Superior temporal lobe
C) Anterior parietal lobe
D) Posterior parietal lobe

Question 6

Shared attention mechanisms are important for human development because

A) They reflect the understanding that attention is contextually-based
B) They must develop prior to intentionality detection
C) They reflect the knowledge that both persons are not only looking at the same object or person, but that they each know the other person is also looking at the item or person
D) All of the above

Question 7

Shared attention networks in the brain are mainly found in the

A) Medial temporal lobe
B) Thalamus
C) Parietal lobe
D) Frontal lobe

Question 8

As you arrive in the parking lot of a supermarket, you see a woman walk towards the market and select a cart. You are mildly surprised when, instead of entering the market, she pushes the cart into the parking lot towards her car. This is an example of your

A) Incorrectly attributing an intention 'entering the market with the cart') to the woman's action
B) Intentionality Detector as described by Baron-Cohen) at work
C) Ability to perceive others' minds
D) All of the above

Question 9

Shared attention is a_____ activity.

A) Singular one-way)
B) Dyadic two-way)
C) Triadic three-way)
D) Quadratic four-way)

Question 10

Baron-Cohen's Theory of Mind Module TOMM) is

A) Present in humans and non-human primates but not in other mammals
B) A complex knowledge base containing rules of social cognition
C) Present at birth in humans
D) Still present in children with developmental delays

Question 11

The skill to detect eyes and determine the direction of gaze

A) Is present in humans but not in non-human primates
B) Involves triadic three-way) interactions
C) Is a skill that develop slowly throughout life
D) Is a fundamental means of communicating mental states in humans

Question 12

You are studying for final exams, with books and lectures notes surrounding you at your desk. Your 2-year old niece comes over to ask you to play with her. Her 5-year old brother interferes and says: "No, she cannot play now, she has to study." Your nephew has a well-developed

A) Intentionality detector
B) Theory of Mind Module
C) Eye-Direction Detector
D) Mirror neuron system