NEUROCOGNITIVE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL COGNITION

Abstract

The social cognition is a factor that determines the success of socialization for the child as a typical and so atypical development. The article reviewed the current meaning on the structure of social cognition from the neuropsychology aspect and key aspects of its formation in sighted children. The interaction between social perception, movement’s observation and "theory of mind" was analyzed. The modal-specific projection and associative cortical areas, involving in the social cognition processes, were considered. The functions of mirror neurons to understanding behavior and movement intentions of another people were described. Mirror neurons can be activated by visual perception of movements of other people, isolated sounds that accompany movement or the talking about movement.

The general algorithm of the estimate the development level of "theory of mind” (it’s meaning the ability to understand another person's mental state) was described. This level of social cognition allows us to understand metaphors, irony, sarcasm, humor, to distinguish lies, to learn the rules of communication, to realize the tactlessness. The formation of the "theory of mind" goes through 5 stages: the understanding the differences in the people’s desires; the awareness of belief’s differences; the awareness of the path to knowledge through the contemplation; the understanding of the false beliefs existence; the awareness of hidden feelings.

It was shown the necessity of reliable information from different sensory channels and wide social experience to the development of social cognition. The visual, linguistic and personal experience from the first person effects on the development of social cognition.

Keywords: social cognition, social perception, mirror neurons, "theory of mind"

Accepted: 07.03.2017

Reviewed: 14.03.2017

Published: 25.03.2017