Abstract
The theory of mind ability underlies the human ability to make complex social interactions. In this study, differences in the theory of mind ability of people with substance dependence and a normal group, and the effect of group training of this ability on addicted people were assessed. In this research, causal-comparative and semi experimental with a pretest and posttest method with a control group were used. For this purpose, 36 male subjects who referred for outpatient addiction treatment center and 36 healthy male people were selected and Baron-Chohen’s Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was administrated in both groups. The group of drug dependence was divided into two groups of 18 people as experimental and control groups. For experimental group, group training sessions were conducted in 24 sessions. Ultimately, test of mind reading was administered as post-test to both groups. Data were analyzed by t-test and one-way analysis of covariance. Data analysis showed that both healthy and dependent groups had significant differences in theory of mind (P < 0/05). Moreover, after theory of mind training implementation, along with other current treatments, experimental group scores differed significantly from the control group (P < 0/05). The study indicated that the group training increased the theory of mind scores, so, this kind of training could be the part of therapy of individuals with a substance abuse disorders.
Highlights
Theory of mind is one aspect of social cognition
They asked the question of does the chimpanzees have a theory of mind? Theory of mind refers to the ability to attribute mental states to individuals
To carry out this study, a group of 36 male people were selected among patients attending to Bahar rehabilitation and addiction treatment center as drug dependence group with dependence of opium
Summary
Theory of mind is one aspect of social cognition. The phrase theory of mind was first used by Premack and Woodruff [1], as two anthropologists and psychologists. The slang meaning of theory of mind is the ability to tell what people think and perceive. This theory, as one aspect of social cognition, deals with thinking about mental states, such as beliefs or desires and presumption about beliefs and opinions [2]. This skill has much importance since social performance depends on social relationship management. The ability of the theory building about others mental content is not based on the awareness of others thoughts, but based on assumptions about their nature and objectives [4]
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