Genetic contribution to \u2018theory of mind\u2019 in adolescence

Varun Warrier,Simon Baron-Cohen

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21737-8

Varun Warrier, Simon Baron-Cohen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21737-8

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Abstract

Difficulties in ‘theory of mind’ (the ability to attribute mental states to oneself or others, and to make predictions about another’s behaviour based on these attributions) have been observed in several psychiatric conditions. We investigate the genetic architecture of theory of mind in 4,577 13-year-olds who completed the Emotional Triangles Task (Triangles Task), a first-order test of theory of mind. We observe a small but significant female-advantage on the Triangles Task (Cohen’s d = 0.19, P < 0.01), in keeping with previous work using other tests of theory of mind. Genome-wide association analyses did not identify any significant loci, and SNP heritability was non-significant. Polygenic scores for six psychiatric conditions (ADHD, anorexia, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia), and empathy were not associated with scores on the Triangles Task. However, polygenic scores of cognitive aptitude, and cognitive empathy, a term synonymous with theory of mind and measured using the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test, were significantly associated with scores on the Triangles Task at multiple P-value thresholds, suggesting shared genetics between different measures of theory of mind and cognition.

Highlights

Difficulties in ‘theory of mind’ have been observed in several psychiatric conditions
We investigated the genetic correlates of first-order theory of mind using the Triangles Task
The scores on the Triangles Task were normally distributed and we observed a small but significant female-advantage on the Triangles Task. This is similar to what has been observed in other studies of cognitive empathy[46] and facial expression recognition[47]

Summary

Introduction

Difficulties in ‘theory of mind’ (the ability to attribute mental states to oneself or others, and to make predictions about another’s behaviour based on these attributions) have been observed in several psychiatric conditions. First order theory of mind refers to the ability to understand another person’s mental state (e.g., “He thinks x”). First order theory of mind develops in early childhood (by 3 to 4 years of age)[1], though precursors to theory of mind are evident at the end of infancy, around 9–14 months of age, in joint attention behaviours such as proto-declarative pointing and gaze following[2]. A large study investigating the heritability of different theory of mind tasks in 1,116 5-year olds, and suggested that shared environmental influences rather than genetic factors contribute to most of the variance in these tasks[7]. A study based on parent-reports of children’s prosocial and antisocial behaviour requiring theory of mind in 2–4 year olds identified a modest and significant heritability[9]. Theory of mind is predicted by measures of general cognition such as IQ and working memory[24,25]

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