Psychiatry and Psychology

Theory of Mind

The ability to attribute mental states (e.g., beliefs, desires, feelings, intentions, thoughts, etc.) to self and to others, allowing an individual to understand and infer behavior on the basis of the mental states. Difference or deficit in theory of mind is associated with ASPERGER SYNDROME; AUTISTIC DISORDER; and SCHIZOPHRENIA, etc.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The ability to attribute mental states (e.g., beliefs, desires, feelings, intentions, thoughts, etc.) to self and to others, allowing an individual to understand and infer behavior on the basis of the mental states. Difference or deficit in theory of mind is associated with ASPERGER SYNDROME; AUTISTIC DISORDER; and SCHIZOPHRENIA, etc.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings classification, drug effects, ethics, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

History Note

2010

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Interpersonal Relations (1988-2009)
  • Mental Processes (1989-2009)
  • Personal Construct Theory (2003-2009)
  • Psychological Theory (1975-2009)
  • Schizophrenic Psychology (1992-2009)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. F02w.463w.689w
  2. F02w.739.897w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Theory of Mind. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D056345. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D056345
  2. Theory of Mind. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_mind
  3. Theory of Mind. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q639219