THEORY OF MIND IN THE PSYCHOPATH

This paper investigates the Theory of Mind ability of psychopaths. Hap pe's (1994) advanced test of Theory of Mind was presented to 25 psycho paths and 25 non-psychopathic incarcerated controls. The psychopaths a nd the non-psychopathic controls did not differ in their performance o n this task. However, the psychopaths were performing significantly be tter than Happe's most highly able adult autistic population. It was t herefore concluded that the psychopath does not have a Theory of Mind deficit. Speculations are made about the different developmental pathw ays of autism and psychopathy and the differences in the empathy defic it present in both these disorders.