How other minds are represented in the human brain: Neural computations underlying Theory of Mind

ended

Successful human social behaviour relies on an ability called Theory of Mind (ToM) – the ability to infer the mental states (beliefs, desires) of other people. ToM is the basis of human cooperation and prosocial behaviour, and its importance is dramatically demonstrated when it breaks down in various ways such as in autism or psychopathy. Unfortunately, ToM is often defined rather broadly, and little is known about the exact computations that are carried out in the brain when we think about other minds. This project aims to provide a solid, formal understanding of the computations undertaken by our cognitive system during ToM, and their implementation in the brain. Two complementary approaches will be taken in separate brain imaging experiments using fMRI. First, a top-down approach will be employed, that uses complex verbal stimuli to study ToM in its widest variety. Second, a computationally well understood task paradigm will be adapted to a social setting, presenting quantitative stimuli that can be exactly captured by a formal model. Overlap in brain activation found by the two approaches will establish a comprehensive account of how the brain achieves this remarkable human ability. The project will be carried out at one of Europe’s leading cognitive neuroscience centres under supervision of a research group that has recently pioneered the use of computational approaches to investigate higher-level human cognitive processes. This is an ideal set-up for transfer of knowledge from the host to the applicant (computational modeling) and vice-versa (applicant's anatomical knowledge gathered in Oxford). The project's interdisciplinary approach combines formal computational models with neuroimaging data, and will be one of the first to employ this technique to ask specific questions about Theory of Mind. Its implications can be directly translated to clinical research, and are also relevant for educational research.