The relationship between deictic relating and theory of mind

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) proposes that deictic relating plays a critical role in “Theory of Mind” (ToM). However, empirical research to date on the relationship between deictic relating and ToM has been inconclusive, potentially due to small sample sizes and limitations in the assessment of deictic relating. In the present online study (N = 164), we tested the relationship between deictic relating and two ToM measures: a low-level ToM task (a visual perspective-taking task) and a high-level ToM task (the Faux Pas Recognition Test). We additionally tested associations with general cognitive ability and autism traits. Based on predictions from RFT, we hypothesized that deictic relating would correlate with both ToM measures, with a stronger association for low-level ToM. We observed a positive correlation of deictic relating with performance on the Faux Pas Recognition Test, whereas its correlation with visual perspective-taking was non-significant for our primary outcome measure. Opposite to predictions derived from RFT, deictic relating was positively correlated with autism traits, whereas scores on the Faux Pas Recognition Test and visual perspective-taking task were not significantly correlated with autism traits. Although these findings may suggest a relationship between deictic relating and ToM, the absence of an association with low-level ToM is difficult to reconcile with RFT. Alternative explanations for observed correlations, including task characteristics or other related abilities, are discussed. Finally, the finding that higher scores on the autism traits questionnaire were related to better deictic relating is at odds with RFT and raises questions about which abilities the task measures.