Unveiling the Role of Theory of Mind: Neural Response to Emotional Stimuli in Context.

Abstract

The recent literature on theory of mind (ToM) aims to identify situations that necessitate a greater reliance on ToM. The self-to-other model of empathy proposes that when there is a discrepancy between affective and contextual information, the ToM system is activated more strongly to assist in the classification of the emotional state. In order to test this aspect of the theory, the study aimed to examine the neural response to emotional stimuli in context. Non-congruent images depict natural scenarios where there is a mismatch between the valence of facial expressions of one of the protagonists and the overall context, when considered in isolation. In contrast, congruent images are those in which there is no such discrepancy. The fMRI data of 53 healthy participants (31 females; mean age, 25.23 ± 5.09) were analysed using a pre-defined ToM mask. The results align with the prediction that non-congruent images will recruit the ToM system to a greater degree. Additionally, we found activations in areas implicated in emotion processing and control functions in response to non-congruent images relative to congruent ones. The results indicate that the emotional processing of complex social situations is supported by multiple processes. Consequently, identifying the sources of alterations in emotion processing and social cognition is crucial for understanding individual differences in neurotypical and clinical populations.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-025-00293-1.