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Simulation Theory And Psychodynamic Approach

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2. Simulation theory - The theory-theory says that we have a theory that postulates various entities and these are related to each other and behaviour in roughly law-like ways. When we want to explain or predict a person’s thought, behaviour, or action, we do this by applying this theory, because it is a fundamental attempt to address any psychological concerns. We simulate others by using our imagination and empathy to determine what it would be like to be that person . More specifically, we generate imaginary states, which should correspond to the mental states of other people; these are then fed into our own decision-making systems to see what transpires . Example, if John believes that snow is white a simulation of this will become:
➢ Simulate John: Ready? ‘Snow is white’.
This example does not …show more content…

Gordon calls this kind of reasoning hypothetical-practical . 

Theory-Theory suggest that FP is theoretical, propositional, or Knowing That.
• Simulation suggests that FP is based on skill, ability, capacity, etc., or the Knowing How.
Simulation theory is supported by research on autism. Autistic people are unable to ‘mind- read’ or attribute mental states to others, and this causes great difficulties with predicting behaviour and navigating the social world . According to theory-theory, autistic people lack propositional knowledge this is why they cannot mind read. FP is a theory and Autistic people unfortunately did not learn it like the rest of us, because they lack the ability to empathise and to put themselves into other people’s shoes or pretend play . This lends support to the simulation theory, because we know independently that autistic people tend to lack empathy and imaginative capacity. On the other hand, they do not seem to have many problems with theorizing. Indeed many autistic people are quite skilled with technical and theoretical things

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