Social Cognition, Conduct Problems, and Callous-Unemotional Traits in Boys (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and Marriage & Family Therapists

Course By: Ken Springer, PhD

Content By:  Roberts, R., McCrory, E., Bird, G., Sharp, M., Roberts, L., & Viding, E. (2020). Thinking about others' minds: Mental state inference in boys with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits.  Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, (48), 1279-1290.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00664-1

Course Description:  Studies show that children with conduct problems (CP) and high levels of callous-unemotional traits (HCU) are able to take the perspectives of others, but they may only do so selectively. The present study examined the conditions under which adolescent boys with CP/HCU can successfully mentalise (i.e., infer the perspectives and mental states of others). Three mentalising tasks were administered to a group of 11- through 16-year old boys with CP/HCU, a group of peers with CP who were low in callous-unemotional traits (CP/LCU), and a group of typically developing peers. The authors found no group differences in basic mentalisation abilities. However, the CP/HCU group performed more poorly than the other two groups on a complex, real-life task, particularly when making inferences about peoples' intentions. The authors concluded that boys with CP/HCU can successfully mentalise, but only in relatively uncomplicated situations. The results have implications for better understanding the social cognitive abilities and limitations of children with CP/HCU.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the rationale for studying the mentalising abilities of children with CP/HCU
2. Describe the main findings of the study with respect to differences between CP/HCU boys and their peers in performance on mentalisation tasks
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for better understanding the social cognition of children with CP/HCU

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Thinking about others' minds: Mental state inference in boys with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Analyze the theoretical framework in which children with CP/HCU might be expected to exhibit limitations related to mentalisation
• Integrate the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
• Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the social cognitive strengths and limitations of boys with CP/HCU

Approvals: