Distortions of mind perception in psychopathology

It has long been known that psychopathology can influence social perception. Gray and colleagues examined the covariation of mind perception with three subclinical syndromes-autism-spectrum disorder, schizotypy, and psychopathy. They found that each presents a unique mind-perception profile. Autism-spectrum disorder involves reduced perception of agency (capacity for self-control, planning, memory) in adult humans. Schizotypy involves increased perception of both agency and experience in entities generally thought to lack minds. Psychopathy involves reduced perception of experience in adult humans, children, and animals. Disorders are differentially linked with the over- or underperception of agency and experience in a way that helps explain their real-world consequences.

Gray K et al., Distortions of mind perception in psychopathology, PNAS 108: 477-479 (2011).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21187372