Objective: With the rise in popularity of the theory of mind (ToM),
defined as the ability to understand that others’ beliefs, desires, and
intentions may differ from one’s own, numerous tools have been
developed since the 1990s. However, the use of disparate tasks to
measure the same construct, the lack of a standardized task battery,
and the inadequate validity/reliability of existing TOM measures have
contributed to inconsistent research findings. This study developed
the HACETTEPE-Computer Based Theory of Mind Battery
(HACETTEPE CBToM), which utilizes three-dimensional colored
animations, focuses on social interactions, and integrates cognitive/
affective dimensions. Comprehensive validity and reliability studies
were conducted.
Method: The validity and reliability studies of the battery, which consists
of eight scenarios (four second-order false belief tasks: two cognitive/
two affective, and four irony tasks: two cognitive/two affective), were
carried out with 214 healthy adults aged 18-36.
Results: Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor
analysis, and the fit indices indicated an excellent model fit [χ2(19,
N=214) =26.14, p>0.05, χ2/df=1.38, RMSEA=0.042, SRMR=0.05,
GFI=0.97, AGFI=0.95, CFI=0.98, TLI(NNFI)=0.97]. For criterion
validity, a positive and significant correlation was found between the
scores of the HACETTEPE-CBToM Battery and the Dokuz Eylül
Theory of Mind Scale (r=0.32, p<0.05). The inter-rater reliability and
internal consistency coefficients were r=0.94 and r=0.72, respectively.
Conclusion: The HACETTEPE-CBToM Battery is a culturally
appropriate, ecologically valid, and psychometrically robust tool for
detailed assessment of ToM.
Keywords: Cognitive sciences, neuropsychologic test, reliability and
validity, theory of mind