Pragmatics partially segregated from Theory of Mind: evidence from resting-state functional connectivity

Pragmatics and Theory of Mind (ToM) are at play during conversational interaction, but the relationship between the two is a matter of debate. Using resting-state fMRI data, we investigate a potential segregation of the two domains by considering functional connectivity within and between the ToM and language networks, and their relation to pragmatic behavioural measures. We also study the connectivity of two cortical clusters, one in the left intraparietal sulcus and one in the bilateral dorsal precuneus. These clusters are located outside both the ToM and language networks and were previously found to covary with individual pragmatic variability. The results show that these two clusters are functionally connected at rest and that their degree of connectivity is related to pragmatic behaviour. On the other hand, there was no relation between pragmatic behaviour and degrees of connectivity involving the ToM and language networks. Furthermore, the two clusters were not connected to either the ToM or language networks. In conclusion, we suggest that the domain of pragmatics is partially segregated from ToM, and provide further support that the two clusters outside the ToM and language networks are pragmatically relevant.This article is part of the theme issue 'At the heart of human communication: new views on the complex relationship between pragmatics and Theory of Mind'.