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Neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study in a nonverbal task. Völlm et al (2006). Neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in a nonverbal task. Neuroimage , 29, 90-98.
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Neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy:A functional magnetic resonance imaging study in a nonverbal task Völlm et al (2006). Neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in a nonverbal task. Neuroimage, 29, 90-98. By: Shahin Khayambashi
Introduction Humans are very social species. This is largely due to our ability to detect cognitive and emotional processes in other: Theory of Mind: The attribution of mental states such as desires, intentions, and beliefs to others. Understanding the mental state of others and using it to predict their behaviours. Empathy: The ability to infer and share the emotional experiences of others.
Introduction Two theories behind the development of empathy and theory of mind: • Theory-theory: Result of learning, memory, and experience. • Simulation theory: Innate and intuitive. • Recent studies show activation in medial prefrontal cortex, superior temporal sulcus, and temporal pole during theory of mind processing. • Recent studies also show activations of temporal and frontal lobe regions during empathy. • This, in accordance with the discovery of mirror neurons, provide more support for the simulation theory.
Introduction However, there has been some proof of the dissociation of theory of mind and empathy. • Autism • Psychopathic populations The purpose of the this study is to link the two processes and investigate the neuronal correlates of theory of mind and empathy in healthy volunteers using a visual cartoon task. Hypothesis: Both conditions would activate temporal lobes and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, processing of empathic stimuli would also rely on affective networks, particularly the amygdala.
METHOD • Procedure: • Four conditions: • Theory of mind. • Empathy. • Physical casualty 1 char. • Physical casualty 2 char. • Each subject is tested twice for each condition (8 tests). • Each test contains 5 different comic strips depicting a short story on the upper half of the screen. • Then two pictures showing possible outcomes show up on the bottom half, only one is correct. Subjects: • 15, right-handed, healthy males. • University students. • Average age: 24.9. • 2 subjects later excluded. • Screened for substance use. • IQ within normal range (94-122). Materials: • fMRI images using 1.5T Philips Gyroscan ACS NT • Comic Strips. • Laptop computer to project stimuli in fMRI scanner.
METHOD Procedure (cont’d): • Physical 1 control for theory of mind, physical 2 control for empathy. • Participants had 6s to read initial question, 6s to analyze comic strips, and 4.5s to answer the outcome. • Initial questions used to engage the corresponding construct in the participants: • What will the main character do next? (theory of mind) • What will make the main character feel better? (empathy) • What is most likely to happen next? (physical 1 and physical 2) • Unanswered outcomes treated as incorrect answers. • Neural responses theory of mind minus neural responses of physical 1 to reveal increased signal association with theory of mind processing. • Neural responses empathy minus neural responses of physical 2 to reveal increased signal association with empathy processing.
RESULTS Common areas of the brain activated: • Bilateral temporoparietal junction, temporal poles, inferior temporal gyri extending from the fusyformgyri, medial prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal cortex, and cerebellum.
RESULTS Different areas of the brain activated: • More activation of orbitofrontal cortex in theory of mind processing. • More activation of left amygdala in empathy processing.
DISCUSSION • Mostly same brain areas activated. • Some difference in activation (orbitofrontal cortex and left amygdala). • Paracingulate cortex and empathy. • Interactions. • Emotional and visuospatial processing. • Right-sided activations and theory of mind • Right hemisphere strokes • Psychopathy: Impaired development of amygdala. • Physical 2 too difficult to interpret. • Increased coherence of empathy condition, increased activation. • Empathy vs. social norm.
OPINION • Autism and the right lateral hemisphere? • Mirror neurons. • Nature Vs. Nurture. • Conduct study with babies or children. • Why only males? • Compare study with females. • Questions answered incorrectly? • Physical 2. • Difficult study, well conducted.