Theory of mind (TOM) is the capacity to understand epistemic and motivational mental states and their impact on people’s actions. The different mental states include intentions, wishes, feelings, beliefs, and knowledge. Therefore, it affords people the knack to envisage and construe the actions of others, thereby helping others know what we know. People are not born with TOM; rather, it develops through a number of developmental building blocks, which are intention, intentionality, and imitation.
By their nature, human beings are social creatures who develop a social connection through interaction amongst themselves. TOM facilitates social interaction by allowing people to appreciate that others have distinctive beliefs and needs that differ from their own. TOM is also the foundation that enables us to take part in daily social interaction as we infer the mental states and interpret the conduct of those around us. Mirror neurons emulate the activities and conduct of others; hence, they are highly connected to the theory of mind. In every instance, when a person spots a particular activity being done by another person, the mirror neurons representative of that action get activated. Essentially, mirror neurons convert visual observation into knowledge.
Empathy is people’s power to identify, understand, and respond to other people’s sentiments correctly. It effectively arouses an emotional state similar to what the other person is feeling or probably feeling in particular circumstances. Empathy inspires prosocial actions, both within a defined setting and at the level of the mood. In general, empathetic individuals are more predisposed to be selfless. Consciousness is another key element in the TOM. Banich and Compton state that TOM involves people’s mental states, many of which are remarkably conscious. Therefore, consciousness is reliant upon people’s capacity to characterize their individual mental states meaning that it depends on TOM.