Theory of Mind (ToM)
Theory of mind is the cognitive ability to attribute mental states – beliefs, desires, intentions, and knowledge – to oneself and others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one’s own. It’s the capacity to model what another agent is thinking, even when their mental state differs from reality or from your own perspective.
ToM typically develops in humans around age 4-5 and is considered a hallmark of social cognition. Its absence or impairment is associated with autism spectrum conditions.
Theory of mind is fundamental to consciousness and self-awareness, as it requires distinguishing between one’s own mental states and those of others. It’s a crucial component of collective intelligence and enables sophisticated forms of cooperation by allowing agents to predict and understand each other’s behavior based on inferred mental states.
In multi-agent reinforcement learning, theory of mind becomes essential for modeling other agents’ policies and learning strategies. The ability to maintain models of what others know, believe, or intend directly impacts coordination and competition dynamics.
Takeaway
Theory of mind represents a cognitive light cone extension – it allows us to include others’ mental states within our own cognitive processing, effectively expanding our predictive and explanatory capabilities beyond our direct experience.