Theory of mind is independent of episodic memory

Science. 2007 Nov 23;318(5854):1257. doi: 10.1126/science.1148763.

Abstract

Theory of mind (ToM) to infer other people's current mental states and episodic memory of personal happenings have been assumed to be closely related. We report two participants with severely impaired episodic memory who perform indistinguishably from healthy controls on objective ToM tests. These results suggest that ToM can function independently of episodic memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cognition*
  • Consciousness
  • Humans
  • Imagination
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Memory*
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Concept