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Theory of mind

Flutterby

I'm told that autists do not have a 'theory of mind' and this is a reason why we get lost in conversations. But what *is* a 'theory of mind' exactly? Would it be possible to develop or learn one?

 

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  • longman, that's interesting about 'pecking orders', and I've wondered about it myself. Speaking purely personally, I don't relate to the concept at all. I don't feel any need to 'fit myself in' to any such hierarchy. in fact I find I dislike the idea. Nevertheless, it does seem to be important to NTs. Is this general? is a 'pecking order' important to NTs, but pointless to autists?

    Another thing, going back to losing track of convos. I've noticed - I think - that NTs often try to test the veracity of the person they are talking to, even in fairly trivial matters. They do this by throwing out a statement and looking for a response. Such statements are not well connected to the preceding convo track; this, it seems, is intentional; the person is trying to catch you out. My problem is that it does indeed catch me out, but because I'm trying to work out where the convo is suddenly going. I hesitate. This hesitation is taken as an admission of guilt of some kind.. 

    ..or am I just getting paranoid??

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  • longman, that's interesting about 'pecking orders', and I've wondered about it myself. Speaking purely personally, I don't relate to the concept at all. I don't feel any need to 'fit myself in' to any such hierarchy. in fact I find I dislike the idea. Nevertheless, it does seem to be important to NTs. Is this general? is a 'pecking order' important to NTs, but pointless to autists?

    Another thing, going back to losing track of convos. I've noticed - I think - that NTs often try to test the veracity of the person they are talking to, even in fairly trivial matters. They do this by throwing out a statement and looking for a response. Such statements are not well connected to the preceding convo track; this, it seems, is intentional; the person is trying to catch you out. My problem is that it does indeed catch me out, but because I'm trying to work out where the convo is suddenly going. I hesitate. This hesitation is taken as an admission of guilt of some kind.. 

    ..or am I just getting paranoid??

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