Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2025
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
18.6K
Mentalizing During Social Interaction: The Development and Validation of the Interactive Mentalizing Questionnaire.
Haiyan Wu1,2, Bowen J Fung2,3, Dean Mobbs2,3
1Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|March 7, 2022
Summary
This study introduces the Interactive Mentalization Questionnaire (IMQ) to measure how people perceive their thoughts in social interactions. The IMQ effectively assesses self-other mentalization, proving valuable for understanding social dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Mentalization, the process of inferring mental states, is crucial for social interaction.
- A gap exists in validated measures for second-order mentalization (perceiving thought transparency) and its role in social dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a measure for interactive mentalization, encompassing directional and second-order aspects.
- To investigate the measurability, stability, and social relevance of these mentalization constructs.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 20-item self-report Interactive Mentalization Questionnaire (IMQ) assessing self-self, self-other, and other-self mentalization.
- Validation of the IMQ through large online samples, assessing convergent/discriminant validity and correlations with social deception behaviors in online interactions.
Main Results:
- The IMQ demonstrated robust psychometric properties, validating its sub-components.
- The three factors of the IMQ (self-self, self-other, other-self mentalization) were found to predict mentalization in social interactions.
Conclusions:
- The Interactive Mentalization Questionnaire (IMQ) is a validated tool for assessing distinct facets of mentalization in social contexts.
- The findings support the significance of directional and second-order mentalization in predicting social interaction behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Modeling in Therapy
164
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
164
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
16
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
16
01:25Interpersonal Psychotherapy
110
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured, time-limited therapeutic approach initially developed to treat depression. It integrates key concepts from psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral therapies, making it a uniquely eclectic framework. The therapy is rooted in the interpersonal theories of Adolph Meyer and Harry Stack Sullivan, as well as John Bowlby's attachment theory, and focuses on the interplay between interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being.
110
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
174
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
174
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
15
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
15
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
18
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
18