Computer-based neuropsychological theory of mind assessment: A validation study

Abstract

Theory of mind is defined as the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, this psychological capacity is referred like one of cornerstones of efficient social interaction. The goal of the present study was to create an adapted computer-based version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and to measure its validity in a sample of children Mexico. Method. Instruments: Computer-Based RMET preparation. The test consisted on a 28 trial of visual stimuli based on the Baron-Cohen, et al. version [1], containing eyes section from the face of male and female. The application was developed in Java, following a modular, iterative and incremental software development process based on requirements gathering, analysis, design, construction and testing. Participants. A total of 54 participants mean age 10.78 years old (SD =.74), voluntarily accepted to respond the test. The results were divided into three sections: i) comparative findings between paper and computer-based versions for total scores, showed no significant differences; ii) KR20 showed strong internal consistency inter-item correlations; iii) general scores also showed a significant correlation between the versions. Discussion. Other studies in Latin-America, had shown internal validity of the paper-based RMET. However, this is the first to demonstrate the internal validity of a computer-based variant of this test for the adult version. Future statistical analysis should include mean difference analysis for data dispersion, and normative data for the target children population for clinical purposes validity.