Bayesian models of mentalizing.

Full Abstract

Surprisingly effortless is the human capacity known as "mentalizing", i.e., the ability to explain and predict the behavior of others by attributing to them independent mental states, such as beliefs, desires, emotions or intentions. This capacity is, among other factors, dependent on the correct anticipation of the dynamics of facially expressed emotions based on our beliefs and experience. Important information about the neural processes involved in mentalizing can be derived from dynamic recordings of neural activity such as the EEG. We here exemplify how the so-called Bayesian probabilistic models can help us to model the neural dynamic involved in the perception of clips that evolve from neutral to emotionally laden faces. Contrasting with conventional models, in Bayesian models, probabilities can be used to dynamically update beliefs based on new incoming information. Our results show that a reproducible model of the neural dynamic involved in the appraisal of facial expression can be derived from the grand mean ERP over five subjects. One of the two models used to predict the individual subject dynamic yield correct estimates for four of the five subjects analyzed. These results encourage the future use of Bayesian formalism to build more detailed models able to describe the single trial dynamic.

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Author information

Author/s: Grave de Peralta Menendez, Rolando (R); Achaïbou, Amal (A); Bessière, Pierre (P); Vuilleumier, Patrik (P); Gonzalez Andino, Sara (S);

Affiliation: Electrical Neuroimaging Group, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. Rolando.Grave(-atsign-)hcuge.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Brain topography (Brain Topogr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 20 (issue 4) : pp 278-83

Dates: Created 2008/04/04; Completed 2008/07/30;

PMID: 18351451, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Bayes Theorem
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Electroencephalography
Emotions - physiology
Female

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