Theory of mind in the elderly: "the getting of wisdom"

Journal title RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA
Author/s Antonella Marcheti, Ilaria Castelli, Annalisa Valle, Davide Massaro
Publishing Year 2016 Issue 2016/1
Language Italian Pages 16 P. 63-78 File size 78 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIP2016-001005
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Theory of mind is the ability to predict and interpret one's own and others' behavior on the basis of mental states. It is a fundamental skill in managing interpersonal relationships. Initially investigated in the early stages of development, in re cent years it has become a research topic in a lifespan perspective. As for the elderly, studies have been focusing on the changes in theory of mind both in the physiological and in the pathological aging. This paper, without wanting to be exhaustive, offers an insight into the most recent literature systematizing the reflection around four key themes: changes from a behavioral perspective; understanding of the neural correlates; synchrony/asynchrony between neural and behavioral dimensions; plausibility of an induced plasticity.

Keywords: Theory of mind, elderly, behavioral and neural correlates, neural Plasticity

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Antonella Marcheti, Ilaria Castelli, Annalisa Valle, Davide Massaro, La teoria della mente nell'invecchiamento: la "conquista della saggezza"? in "RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA " 1/2016, pp 63-78, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2016-001005