Jean is a young woman with Asperger syndrome. Her coworker recently lost a family member to cancer. Jean expounded on her knowledge of the cause and effects of the illness, but did not offer condolences, nor did she notice the discomfort she was causing her coworker. Jean's inability to perceive the feelings or to understand the emotional state of her coworker is related to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jean's inability to perceive her coworker's emotional state or understand their feelings is related to theory of mind, which refers to the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others and to understand that other people have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own. As an individual with Asperger syndrome, Jean may have difficulty with theory of mind, which can make it challenging for her to understand and respond appropriately to social cues and emotional situations.

Jean Is a Young Woman with Asperger Syndrome