Relationship Between the Second-Order Intentional Level Theory of Mind Dysfunction and Impulsive Aggression

Abstract

Overwhelming evidence suggests that there is the relationship between early abuses, impulsive aggression and theory of mind (ToM) dysfunction. The focus of this study was on examining whether the impairment of attribution of intentions and beliefs is at every intentional level in case of early abused reactive (impulsive) aggressive persons. Samples were consisted of prisoners convicted for violent crimes. Comparing the results to the control group, the examined group is supposed to function significantly more accurately on the first-order intentional level; whilst a significantly worse performance can be detected on the second-order intentional level. There is no difference found on the higher-order intentional levels.