Links between theory of mind and executive function in young children with autism: Clues to developmental primacy
Links between theory of mind and executive function in young children with autism: Clues to developmental primacy
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DOI：
10.1037/0012-1649.43.4.974
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发表时间：
2007-07-01
影响因子：
4
通讯作者：
Pellicano, Elizabeth
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Pellicano, Elizabeth
关于自闭症患者的心理理论（ToM）和执行功能（EF）之间的功能联系，已经有很多理论讨论。本研究旨在建立幼儿自闭症（M = 5岁，6个月）的心理理论和EF之间的关系，并检查发展的首要性问题。30名自闭症儿童和40名发育正常的儿童，年龄和能力相匹配，进行了一系列测量ToM（第一和第二阶错误信念）和EF（计划，集转移，抑制）的任务评估。在自闭症组中，ToM和EF变量之间出现了显着的相关性，独立于年龄和能力，而ToM和高阶规划能力在对照组中仍然显着相关。在自闭症组中，对ToM-EF损伤模式的检查显示了仅在一个方向上的分离：受损的ToM与完整的EF。这些发现支持了这样的观点，即EF可能是自闭症心理理论理解进步的一个重要因素。这些研究结果的理论意义进行了讨论。
There has been much theoretical discussion of a functional link between theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) in autism. This study sought to establish the relationship between ToM and EF in young children with autism (M = 5 years, 6 months) and to examine issues of developmental primacy. Thirty children with autism and 40 typically developing children, matched on age and ability, were assessed on a battery of tasks measuring ToM (1st- and 2nd-order false belief) and components of EF (planning, set shifting, inhibition). A significant correlation emerged between ToM and EF variables in the autism group, independent of age and ability, while ToM and higher order planning ability remained significantly related in the comparison group. Examination of the pattern of ToM-EF impairments in the autism group revealed dissociations in 1 direction only: impaired ToM with intact EF. These findings support the view that EF may be 1 important factor in the advancement of ToM understanding in autism. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.