Background. This paper examines the attribution of mental states to others in schizophrenia and its
links with thought and speech disorganization.
Methods. Two groups of schizophrenic subjects (15 with and 10 without thought and speech
disorganization) were compared with 10 manic subjects and 15 normal controls on their pattern of
answers to 14 theory of mind comic strips.
Results. Schizophrenic subjects with disorganization and a more severe general psychopathology
exhibited more unadaptated interpretations of others' mental states than those without
disorganization or the manic or normal controls. Their explanation of other people's behaviour
tended to be influenced by the frequency of their actions rather than their mental states.
Conclusions. The disorganization pattern in schizophrenia may be associated with a specific deficit
of the cognitive ability referred to as theory of mind, and this deficit could be a state rather than
a trait variable. Patients with thought and speech disorders may be more likely to understanding
other people's mental states in unambiguous and common situations.