Linking Mindreading and Metacognition: The Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder

The aim of this thesis is to establish if the ability to attribute mental states to ourselves (metacognition) and others (mindreading) rely on the same underlying processes. To address this question, the thesis presents multiple studies using novel methods to examine the relationship between these two abilities. It also extends the findings beyond a purely relational nature and examines the question of whether there is a dissociation between mindreading and metacognition among autistic people, a group known to have mindreading difficulties. If indeed there is a relationship, and no dissociation is found, then this is in line with the notion that mindreading and metacognition rely on the same underlying processes.