Theory of mind and the role of IQ in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity6100 @entity23440 @entity2438 @entity161
BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested a theory of mind (ToM) @entity161 . However, the role of interfering variables such as IQ, attention, memory, and severity of the disorder has remained ambiguous. METHODS: A theory of mind picture story comprising a sequencing task, a first and a second order false belief test, and a tactical deception test was given to a group of 23 @entity1 with @entity23440 and to 12 healthy control @entity1 . In addition, a nonsocial picture story had to be sequenced. Severity of the psychopathology was measured by using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), IQ was estimated using the 'Mehrfachwahlwortschatztest' (MWT, multiple choice verbal comprehension test). RESULTS: The @entity161 group was impaired relative to controls on the theory of mind task, but not on the sequencing task of the nonsocial picture story. However, when controlled for IQ, no such difference was found. These findings were neither related to severity, duration, nor age at onset of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Theory of mind deficits in @entity161 may be related to domain general impairments, e.g., intelligence and working memory load, rather than reflecting a 'genuine' compromised mental state attribution similar to @entity2438 . @entity161 @entity1 may, however, rather be impaired in how and when to apply strategic social reasoning. Further studies to investigate the nature of @entity6100 in @entity161 are warranted.
