Reading the mind in cartoons and stories: An fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and non-verbal tasks

Article

Gallagher, H., Happé, F., Brunswick, N., Fletcher, P., Frith, U. and Frith, C. 2001. Reading the mind in cartoons and stories: An fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and non-verbal tasks. Neuropsychologia. 38 (1), pp. 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0028-3932(99)00053-6
TypeArticle
TitleReading the mind in cartoons and stories: An fMRI study of ‘theory of mind’ in verbal and non-verbal tasks
AuthorsGallagher, H., Happé, F., Brunswick, N., Fletcher, P., Frith, U. and Frith, C.
Abstract

Previous functional imaging studies have explored the brain regions activated by tasks requiring ‘theory of mind’—the attribution of mental states. Tasks used have been primarily verbal, and it has been unclear to what extent different results have reflected different tasks, scanning techniques, or genuinely distinct regions of activation. Here we report results from a functional magnetic resonance imaging study (fMRI) involving two rather different tasks both designed to tap theory of mind. Brain activation during the theory of mind condition of a story task and a cartoon task showed considerable overlap, specifically in the medial prefrontal cortex (paracingulate cortex). These results are discussed in relation to the cognitive mechanisms underpinning our everyday ability to ‘mind-read’.

Keywordsmedial prefrontal cortex; functional magnetic resonance imaging; theory of mind
PublisherElsevier
JournalNeuropsychologia
ISSN0028-3932
Electronic1873-3514
Publication dates
Print2001
Publication process dates
Deposited12 Oct 2009
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/S0028-3932(99)00053-6
Web of Science identifierWOS:000084135500002
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/81ww5

Log in to edit
  • 72
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 6
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The prevalence of specific learning difficulties in higher education: a study of UK universities across 12 academic years
Brunswick, N., Wilson, N., Kruger, I., Chamberlain, R. and McManus, I. 2024. The prevalence of specific learning difficulties in higher education: a study of UK universities across 12 academic years. Journal of Learning Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194241281479
Self-concept, creativity and developmental dyslexia in university students: effects of age of assessment
Brunswick, N. and Bargary, S. 2022. Self-concept, creativity and developmental dyslexia in university students: effects of age of assessment. Dyslexia. 28 (3), pp. 293-308. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1722
Meta-analytic findings reveal lower means but higher variances in visuospatial ability in dyslexia
Chamberlain, R., Brunswick, N., Siev, J. and McManus, I. 2018. Meta-analytic findings reveal lower means but higher variances in visuospatial ability in dyslexia. British Journal of Psychology. 109 (4), pp. 897-916. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12321
Talking the line: inclusive strategies for the teaching of drawing
Rankin, Q., Riley, H., Brunswick, N., McManus, C. and Chamberlain, R. 2017. Talking the line: inclusive strategies for the teaching of drawing. Drawing: Research, Theory, Practice. 2 (2), pp. 287-304. https://doi.org/10.1386/drtp.2.2.287_1
Dyslexia: Creating impact through innovation
Brunswick, N. 2015. Dyslexia: Creating impact through innovation. Dyslexia. 21 (3), pp. 195-196. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1503
Learning to perceive: informing pedagogic practice through the empirical study of drawing
Rankin, Q., Riley, H., Chamberlain, R., McManus, C. and Brunswick, N. 2014. Learning to perceive: informing pedagogic practice through the empirical study of drawing. TRACEY: Drawing and Visualisation Research. 9 (2), pp. 128-136.
Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income
Payne, N., Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Marzano, L. and Brunswick, N. 2015. Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 15 (2), pp. 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2013.877513
Scratching the surface: Practice, personality, approaches to learning and the acquisition of high level representational drawing ability
Chamberlain, R., McManus, C., Brunswick, N., Rankin, Q. and Riley, H. 2015. Scratching the surface: Practice, personality, approaches to learning and the acquisition of high level representational drawing ability. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 9 (4), pp. 451-462. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000011
Drawing on the right side of the brain: A voxel-based morphometry analysis of observational drawing
Chamberlain, R., McManus, I.C., Brunswick, N., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Kanai, R. 2014. Drawing on the right side of the brain: A voxel-based morphometry analysis of observational drawing. NeuroImage. 96, pp. 167-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.03.062
Cain’s house revisited and revived: extending theory and methodology for quantifying drawing accuracy
Chamberlain, R., McManus, C., Riley, H., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2014. Cain’s house revisited and revived: extending theory and methodology for quantifying drawing accuracy. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 8 (2), pp. 152-167. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035635
Music of language, language of music
Franco, F., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Music of language, language of music. The Psychologist. 23 (11), pp. 913-914.
Local processing enhancements associated with superior observational drawing are due to enhanced perceptual functioning, not weak central coherence
Chamberlain, R., McManus, I., Riley, H., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2013. Local processing enhancements associated with superior observational drawing are due to enhanced perceptual functioning, not weak central coherence. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 66 (7), pp. 1448-1466. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2012.750678
Comfort and challenge: A thematic analysis of female clinicians’ experiences of supervision
Starr, F., Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N. and Costa, A. 2013. Comfort and challenge: A thematic analysis of female clinicians’ experiences of supervision. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 86 (3), pp. 334-351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2012.02063.x
Dyslexie, Legasthenie, Ordblindhed: Dyslexia in different languages
Brunswick, N. 2012. Dyslexie, Legasthenie, Ordblindhed: Dyslexia in different languages. in: Everatt, J. (ed.) Dyslexia, languages and multilingualism Bracknell, UK British Dyslexia Association.
The perceptual foundations of drawing ability
Chamberlain, R., Riley, H., McManus, C., Rankin, Q. and Brunswick, N. 2011. The perceptual foundations of drawing ability. in: Kantrowitz, A., Brew, A. and Fava, M. (ed.) Thinking through drawing: practice into knowledge: proceedings of an interdisciplinary symposium on drawing, cognition and education New York, NY, USA Teachers College Columbia University. pp. 95-102
Dyslexia in UK higher education and employment: an introduction and overview
Brunswick, N. 2012. Dyslexia in UK higher education and employment: an introduction and overview. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) Supporting dyslexic adults in higher education and the workplace Oxford Wiley. pp. 1-10
Women counsellors' experiences of personal therapy: A thematic analysis
Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N. and Costa, A. 2012. Women counsellors' experiences of personal therapy: A thematic analysis. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 12 (2), pp. 136-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2011.645050
Early cognitive profiles of emergent readers: A longitudinal study
Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Rippon, G. 2012. Early cognitive profiles of emergent readers: A longitudinal study. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. 111 (2), pp. 268-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2011.08.001
Art students who cannot draw: exploring the role of personality, dyslexia, perceptual problems, visual memory and drawing skills.
McManus, C., Chamberlain, R., Loo, P., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2009. Art students who cannot draw: exploring the role of personality, dyslexia, perceptual problems, visual memory and drawing skills. Experimental Psychological Society London Meeting. University College London 05 - 06 Jan 2009
Inclusive practice: researching the relationships between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students.
Riley, H., Brunswick, N., Chamberlain, R., McManus, C. and Rankin, Q. 2011. Inclusive practice: researching the relationships between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students. in: Include 2011 Proceedings: Conference on Inclusive Design. Royal College of Art.
Inclusive practice: researching the relationship between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students.
Riley, H., Rankin, Q., McManus, C., Chamberlain, R. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Inclusive practice: researching the relationship between mathematical ability and drawing ability in art students. in: Include 2011 proceedings. The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art.
Editorial. Beyond Boundaries – Introduction to the Special Issue
Carroll, J., Larkin, R. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Editorial. Beyond Boundaries – Introduction to the Special Issue. Dyslexia. 17 (4), pp. 293-294. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.440
Living with dyslexia.
Brunswick, N. 2011. Living with dyslexia. New York Rosen Publishing Group.
Does shape constancy relate to drawing ability? Two failures to replicate
McManus, I., Loo, P., Chamberlain, R., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2011. Does shape constancy relate to drawing ability? Two failures to replicate. Empirical Studies of the Arts. 29 (2), pp. 191-208. https://doi.org/10.2190/EM.29.2.d
Dyslexia and visuospatial ability: is there a causal link?
Brunswick, N. and Martin, G. 2009. Dyslexia and visuospatial ability: is there a causal link? in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10 Bracknell British Dyslexia Association.
A new definition of dyslexia.
Brunswick, N. 2009. A new definition of dyslexia. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10 Bracknell British Dyslexia Association. pp. 1-6
Recent developments in dyslexia.
Brunswick, N. 2009. Recent developments in dyslexia. in: Brunswick, N. (ed.) The Dyslexia Handbook 2009/10. Bracknell British Dyslexia Association. pp. 9-14
Developmental dyslexia, visuospatial ability and learning style.
Brunswick, N. and Martin, G. 2007. Developmental dyslexia, visuospatial ability and learning style. The British Psychological Society Annual Conference. York Conference Park 21 - 23 Mar 2007
Visuo-spatial ability and dyslexia: is there a male global advantage?
Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2008. Visuo-spatial ability and dyslexia: is there a male global advantage? British Dyslexia Association International Conference, 2008 [Dyslexia: making links]. Harrogate, York 27 - 29 Mar 2008
Visuo-spatial ability, handedness and developmental dyslexia: just how sinister was Andy Warhol?
Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2007. Visuo-spatial ability, handedness and developmental dyslexia: just how sinister was Andy Warhol? 25th European Workshop on Cognitive Neuropsychology. Bressanone, Italy 21 - 26 Jan 2007
Reading and spelling in different orthographies: an introduction and overview
McDougall, S., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Reading and spelling in different orthographies: an introduction and overview. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and Dyslexia in Different Orthographies. London Psychology Press.
Cross-cultural differences in normal and dyslexic reading: behavioural and functional anatomical observations in readers of regular and irregular orthographies
Paulesu, E., Paganelle, F. and Brunswick, N. 2010. Cross-cultural differences in normal and dyslexic reading: behavioural and functional anatomical observations in readers of regular and irregular orthographies. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies Psychology Press.
Unimpaired reading development and dyslexia across different languages
Brunswick, N. 2010. Unimpaired reading development and dyslexia across different languages. in: Brunswick, N., McDougall, S. and De Mornay Davies, P. (ed.) Reading and dyslexia in different orthographies Psychology Press.
The impact of personal psychotherapy and supervision on volunteer counsellors.
Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Starr, F., Brunswick, N., Costa, A. and Berger, S. 2009. The impact of personal psychotherapy and supervision on volunteer counsellors. 2009 BPS Annual Conference. Brighton, UK 01 - 03 Apr 2009
The Dyslexia handbook 2009/10.
Brunswick, N. Brunswick, N. (ed.) 2009. The Dyslexia handbook 2009/10. Bracknell British Dyslexia Association.
Research seminars on music and language [part of Society section]
Franco, F., Brunswick, N. and De Mornay Davies, P. 2010. Research seminars on music and language [part of Society section]. The Psychologist. 23 (11), pp. 913-914.
Visuospatial superiority in developmental dyslexia: myth or reality?
Brunswick, N., Martin, G. and Marzano, L. 2010. Visuospatial superiority in developmental dyslexia: myth or reality? Learning and Individual Differences. 20 (5), pp. 421-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2010.04.007
Art students who cannot draw: Exploring the relations between drawing ability, visual memory, accuracy of copying, and dyslexia
McManus, C., Chamberlain, R., Loo, P., Rankin, Q., Riley, H. and Brunswick, N. 2010. Art students who cannot draw: Exploring the relations between drawing ability, visual memory, accuracy of copying, and dyslexia. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. 4 (1), pp. 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017335
The functional neuroanatomy of reading
Brunswick, N. 2010. The functional neuroanatomy of reading. in: Cornelissen, P., Hansen, P., Kringelback, M. and Pugh, K. (ed.) The Neural Basis of Reading Oxford University Press (OUP).
Mind, brain and education in reading disorders.
Brunswick, N. 2009. Mind, brain and education in reading disorders. American Journal of Human Biology. 21 (3), pp. 414-415. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20915
Psychology study guide.
Martin, G. and Brunswick, N. 2005. Psychology study guide. Allyn & Bacon.
Dyslexia
Brunswick, N. 2009. Dyslexia. in: Malmkjaer, K. (ed.) The Routledge Linguistics Encyclopedia Routledge.
Inclusive Practice: researching the relationships between dyslexia, personality, and art students’ drawing ability.
Riley, H., Rankin, Q., Brunswick, N., McManus, I., Chamberlain, R. and Loo, P. 2009. Inclusive Practice: researching the relationships between dyslexia, personality, and art students’ drawing ability. Royal College of Art: Helen Hamlyn Centre..
Developing an on-line undergraduate course in introductory psychology
Martin, G., Brunswick, N. and Jolic, N. 2005. Developing an on-line undergraduate course in introductory psychology. Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues. 6 (1), pp. 11-26.
Public awareness of warning signs for cancer in Britain.
Brunswick, N., Wardle, J. and Jarvis, M. 2001. Public awareness of warning signs for cancer in Britain. Cancer Causes and Control. 12 (1), pp. 33-37. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008975416756
Theoretical and ethical issues in conducting research at a women’s health centre.
Ciclitira, K., Marzano, L., Brunswick, N., Starr, F. and Berger, S. 2004. Theoretical and ethical issues in conducting research at a women’s health centre. Psychology of Women Section Review. 6 (1), pp. 60-69.
Dyslexia: a beginner’s guide
Brunswick, N. 2009. Dyslexia: a beginner’s guide. Oneworld Publications.
Developmental dyslexia: evidence from brain research
Brunswick, N. 2003. Developmental dyslexia: evidence from brain research. in: Nunes, T. and Bryant, P. (ed.) Handbook of Children’s Literacy London Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 275-291
Cultural diversity and biological unity in dyslexia
Paulesu, E., Demonet, J., Fazio, F., McCrory, E., Chanoine, V., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cossu, G., Habib, M., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2001. Cultural diversity and biological unity in dyslexia. NeuroImage. 13 (6), p. S584. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1053-8119(01)91927-5
Awareness of risk factors for cancer among British adults
Wardle, J., Waller, J., Brunswick, N. and Jarvis, M. 2001. Awareness of risk factors for cancer among British adults. Public Health. 115 (3), pp. 173-174. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ph.1900752
Dyslexia: Cultural diversity and biological unity
Paulesu, E., Demonet, J., Fazio, F., McCrory, E., Chanoine, V., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cossu, G., Habib, M., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2001. Dyslexia: Cultural diversity and biological unity. Science. 291 (5511), pp. 2165-2167. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1057179
Abnormal functional activation during a simple word repetition task: a PET study of adult dyslexics
McCrory, E., Frith, U., Brunswick, N. and Price, C. 2000. Abnormal functional activation during a simple word repetition task: a PET study of adult dyslexics. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 12 (5), pp. 753-762. https://doi.org/10.1162/089892900562570
Trait and state EEG indices of information processing in developmental dyslexia
Rippon, G. and Brunswick, N. 2000. Trait and state EEG indices of information processing in developmental dyslexia. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 36 (3), pp. 251-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(00)00075-1
A cultural effect on brain function
Paulesu, E., McCrory, E., Fazio, F., Menoncello, L., Brunswick, N., Cappa, S., Cotelli, M., Cossu, G., Corte, F., Lorusso, M., Pesenti, S., Gallagher, A., Perani, D., Price, C., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 2000. A cultural effect on brain function. Nature Neuroscience. 3 (1), pp. 91-96. https://doi.org/10.1038/71163
Explicit and implicit processing of words and pseudowords by adult developmental dyslexics - a search for Wernicke's Wortschatz?
Brunswick, N., McCrory, E., Price, C., Frith, C. and Frith, U. 1999. Explicit and implicit processing of words and pseudowords by adult developmental dyslexics - a search for Wernicke's Wortschatz? Brain. 122 (10), pp. 1901-1917. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/122.10.1901
Cognitive and psychophysiological correlates of handedness and reading ability
Rippon, G. and Brunswick, N. 1997. Cognitive and psychophysiological correlates of handedness and reading ability. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 25 (1), p. 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(97)85416-5
Auditory event-related potentials, dichotic-listening performance and handedness as indexes of lateralization in dyslexic and normal readers
Brunswick, N. and Rippon, G. 1994. Auditory event-related potentials, dichotic-listening performance and handedness as indexes of lateralization in dyslexic and normal readers. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 18 (3), pp. 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(94)90012-4