Planning with Theory of Mind

Mark K. Ho; Rebecca Saxe; Fiery Cushman

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2022.08.003

Planning with Theory of Mind

Mark K. Ho, Rebecca Saxe, Fiery Cushman

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Understanding Theory of Mind should begin with an analysis of the problems it solves. The traditional answer is that Theory of Mind is used for predicting others’ thoughts and actions. However, the same Theory of Mind is also used for planning to change others’ thoughts and actions. Planning requires that Theory of Mind consists of abstract structured causal representations and supports efficient search and selection from innumerable possible actions. Theory of Mind contrasts with less cognitively demanding alternatives: statistical predictive models of other people's actions, or model-free reinforcement of actions by their effects on other people. Theory of Mind is likely used to plan novel interventions and predict their effects, for example, in pedagogy, emotion regulation, and impression management.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	959-971
Number of pages	13
Journal	Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Volume	26
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2022.08.003
State	Published - Nov 2022

Keywords

causal reasoning
goal-directed behavior
planning
social cognition
Theory of Mind

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience

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10.1016/j.tics.2022.08.003

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abstract = "Understanding Theory of Mind should begin with an analysis of the problems it solves. The traditional answer is that Theory of Mind is used for predicting others{\textquoteright} thoughts and actions. However, the same Theory of Mind is also used for planning to change others{\textquoteright} thoughts and actions. Planning requires that Theory of Mind consists of abstract structured causal representations and supports efficient search and selection from innumerable possible actions. Theory of Mind contrasts with less cognitively demanding alternatives: statistical predictive models of other people's actions, or model-free reinforcement of actions by their effects on other people. Theory of Mind is likely used to plan novel interventions and predict their effects, for example, in pedagogy, emotion regulation, and impression management.",

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AU - Cushman, Fiery

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AB - Understanding Theory of Mind should begin with an analysis of the problems it solves. The traditional answer is that Theory of Mind is used for predicting others’ thoughts and actions. However, the same Theory of Mind is also used for planning to change others’ thoughts and actions. Planning requires that Theory of Mind consists of abstract structured causal representations and supports efficient search and selection from innumerable possible actions. Theory of Mind contrasts with less cognitively demanding alternatives: statistical predictive models of other people's actions, or model-free reinforcement of actions by their effects on other people. Theory of Mind is likely used to plan novel interventions and predict their effects, for example, in pedagogy, emotion regulation, and impression management.

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Planning with Theory of Mind

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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