Theory of Mind in Persons with Permanent Hearing Disorders
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Keywords

theory of mind
impaired hearing
reading the mind
hearing loss
states of mind
hard-of-hearing
deaf
deafness
hearing deprivation
emotions

Abstract

Introduction. The problems of hearing loss and deafness were always relevant in both medical and psychological-pedagogical fields. Hearing deprivation influences speech development and consequently all cognitive functions that are a basis for intelligence. They also facilitate a formation of the ability to understand the Others, a theory of mind. A significant attribution of non-verbal communication as a factor in the theory of mind formation is the ability to interpret non-verbal signals correctly in the understanding of Others. In this sense, the study of eyes as an integral part of facial expressions and a method of non-verbal communication becomes relevant. The study is novel in the theory of mind assessment in people with hearing deprivation as a group that actively uses the language of non-verbal communication. Methods. A method such as the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) is applied – a technique aimed at diagnosing the understanding of a person's mental state by sight. It is of considerable use to measure individual differences in social cognition and emotional recognition in different groups. In this study, the distribution of scores according to the Russified test version among people with permanent hearing disorders was studied. Results. In the studied persons with hearing deprivation, the average indicators for the test Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test were in the zone of reduced ability to recognize emotions according to the data obtained by the test authors. Statistically significant differences were found between groups with varying degrees of hearing loss. Also, statistically significant sex differences were observed when performing the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Discussion. People with impaired hearing in adulthood still have difficulties recognizing complex emotions, which can be explained by the deprivation of speech communication in the family in early stages of development, which reduces the development of the theory of mind and, consequently, the ability to understand Others.

https://doi.org/10.21702/rpj.2022.4.9
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