Theory of Mind in Williams Syndrome Assessed Using a Nonverbal Task

• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0447-4
• Publication Date: 2007-09-13T20:00:29Z
• Authors: Melanie A. Porter; Max Coltheart; Robyn Langdon
• Keywords: Williams Syndrome; False belief

This study examined Theory of Mind in Williams syndrome (WS) and in normal chronological age-matched and mental age-matched control groups, using a picture sequencing task. This task assesses understanding of pretence, intention and false belief, while controlling for social-script knowledge and physical cause-and-effect reasoning. The task was selected because it is entirely non-verbal, so that the WS individuals could not rely on their good verbal skills when performing the task. Results indicated a specific deficit in understanding of false belief within the WS group. There was also evidence of heterogeneity in the WS group, with the false belief impairment restricted to only a particular subgroup of WS individuals identified originally by Porter, M., & Coltheart, M. (2005). Cognitive heterogeneity in Williams syndrome. Developmental Neuropsychology, 27(2), 275-306.