The neural basis of mentalizing.

Full Abstract

Mentalizing refers to our ability to read the mental states of other agents and engages many neural processes. The brain's mirror system allows us to share the emotions of others. Through perspective taking, we can infer what a person currently believes about the world given their point of view. Finally, the human brain has the unique ability to represent the mental states of the self and the other and the relationship between these mental states, making possible the communication of ideas.

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Author information

Author/s: Frith, Chris D (CD); Frith, Uta (U);

Affiliation: Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom. cfirth(-atsign-)fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comment; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Neuron (Neuron), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 50 (issue 4) : pp 531-4

Dates: Created 2006/05/16; Completed 2006/07/05;

PMID: 16701204, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentOn: Neuron. 2006 May 18;50(4):655-63. (PMID: 16701214)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Emotions - physiology

Humans
Mental Processes - physiology
Social Behavior

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