Description of the Questionnaire

The Visual Theory of Mind Test consists of 22 A3-sized cards, each depicting short visual stories. The examinee is asked, after observing the story, to choose between two or three possible continuations the one they believe completes the story in the most logical way. Four of these stories require first-order Theory of Mind, meaning that the protagonist has a false belief about a situation. Six stories require the ability to attribute intention—what the protagonist plans to do—and six require the attribution of desire—what the protagonist wants to do after understanding someone else’s desire. The remaining six stories are control stories used to assess story comprehension without requiring an understanding of another person’s mental state.

Data Analysis and Usage

The analysis is based on the number of correct answers given for each story. Additionally, the distribution of scores across the different story categories is examined. Performance on the test differentiates patients with schizophrenia and patients with frontotemporal dementia from healthy participants, and is influenced by variables such as gender, education level, and age—particularly in the category of stories requiring first-order Theory of Mind.

Objective

The test aims to assess Theory of Mind through visual stories. Specifically, it evaluates the examinee’s ability to attribute mental states such as beliefs, desires, and intentions to other individuals.

Scoring

Scoring is based on the number of correct responses per story and per category. Both total and category-specific scores provide information about the examinee’s ability to comprehend and attribute mental states.

Bibliography

Giannakou, M., Kosmidis, M., Bozikas, V., Aretouli, E., & Fokas, K. (2007, July 4–7). Developing a Visual Test Examining Mentalizing Abilities for Psychiatric and Neurological Patients. Paper presented at the Mid-Year Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Bilbao, Spain.
Sarfati, Y., Hardy-Baylé, M. C., Nadel, J., Chevalier, J. F., & Widlocher, D. (1997). Attribution of mental states to others by schizophrenic patients. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 2, 1–17.