Theory of Mind (ToM) is an interesting concept, and one I have been pondering recently in light of the mushroom murders. Images of Erin have been splashed all over the papers, including photos of her reading in the back of a prison van. I wonder if she was reading a novel, and whether, considering her conviction, she has impaired ToM.
ToM refers to how individuals understand their own thoughts and feelings and those of other beings. A ToM involves the understanding that other beings’ thoughts, feelings, beliefs, desires and intentions may be different from one’s own. Impaired ToM is associated with poor social functioning and has been linked with offending behaviour in some instances.
Interestingly, research has demonstrated that reading fiction, especially literary fiction, promotes ToM ability by engaging mentalising processes in order to represent the thoughts and feelings of fictional characters. This leads me to speculate about what kind of book Erin was reading in that prison van. If she was reading a novel, I wonder if she was able to employ ToM and escape into a fictional world. She is likely to have many years of imprisonment ahead of her but at least she may be able to travel in her mind by reading fiction.
Erin could also potentially read the book that Helen Garner, who watched the trial from a front row seat, is planning on co-authoring about the mushroom murder trials. Maybe in time, Erin will be able to engage her ToM in relation to the families and communities that have been impacted by her actions, imagine how they must feel, and experience genuine remorse.
Written by Gemma Franks
Image by jggrz from Pixabay
