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Article published In: Pragmatics and its Interfaces as related to the Expression of Intention
Edited by István Kecskés
[Pragmatics & Cognition 26:1] 2019
► pp. 5–38

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Theory of Mind, pragmatics and the brain

Converging evidence for the role of intention processing as a core feature of human communication

 | University of Turin | Neuroscience Institute of Turin
 | University of Turin
 | Neuroscience Institute of Turin | University of Turin
Published online: 27 March 2020
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https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.19010.enr
Abstract
Theory of Mind (ToM) is a neurocognitive system that allows the perceiver to attribute mental states, such as intentions, beliefs, or feelings, to others’ actions. The aim of the present work is to analyse the engagement of the ToM system in communication, in particular, in communicative intention processing. To this aim, we propose an Intention Processing Network (IPN) with its own principles and mechanisms, that is, a brain network differentially engaged according to the complex intertwining of the context, goal, and action involved. According to our IPN model, a set of brain regions of the ToM system (i.e. left and right temporoparietal junction, precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex) are differentially involved in comprehending different types of intention, such as private or social intentions. We provide independent and convergent evidence on the role of the IPN model in communicative intention processing and we show that the engagement of the IPN does not depend upon the communicative means used, that is, written language, auditory language, or gesture. Evidence deriving from different experimental paradigms, including neuroimaging, lesion, neurodegenerative, and brain stimulation studies are discussed. In our view, this evidence establishes a link between ToM and pragmatics studies and suggests the role of intention processing as a core feature of human communication.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Intention processing for general and communicative action
    • 2.1Intention processing and communication
    • 2.2The intention processing network
  • 3.Independent neuroimaging evidence for the IPN model
    • 3.1Narrative processing
    • 3.2Pragmatic processing
    • 3.3One-sided interaction: Communicative production vs. comprehension processing
    • 3.4Two-sided interaction: The two-brain approach
  • 4.Convergent lesion and neurodegenerative evidence for the IPN model
    • 4.1Lesion studies
    • 4.2Neurodegenerative studies
  • 5.Convergent brain stimulation evidence for the IPN model
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Abbreviations
  • References
References (121)
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Batti, Virginia, Elisa Maria Piella, Aurora Cermelli, Chiara Lombardo, Fausto Roveta, Innocenzo Rainero & Elisa Rubino
2025. Exploring social cognition in migraine: a narrative review. Confinia Cephalalgica 35:1 DOI logo
Carbone, Giuseppe A., Benedetto Farina, Aurelia Lo Presti, Claudio Imperatori, Elena De Rossi, Mauro Adenzato & Rita B. Ardito
2025. Triple network alteration predicts dissociative symptoms following activation of the attachment system: Evidence from an EEG connectivity study. Journal of Psychiatric Research 191 ► pp. 664 ff. DOI logo
Hu, Jennifer, Felix Sosa & Tomer Ullman
2025. Re-evaluating Theory of Mind evaluation in large language models. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 380:1932 DOI logo
Ivanova, Olga
2025. Understanding Theory of Mind–pragmatics relationship through the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 380:1932 DOI logo
Skromanis, Sarah, Mandy Matthewson, Christine Padgett, Allison Matthews & Cynthia A. Honan
2025. Understanding social disinhibition in acquired brain injury: drawing upon first person experiences. Disability and Rehabilitation ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Tomasello, Rosario, Isabella Boux & Friedemann Pulvermüller
2025. Theory of Mind and the brain substrates of direct and indirect communicative action understanding. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 380:1932 DOI logo
Carbone, Giuseppe A., Aurelia Lo Presti, Benedetto Farina, Mauro Adenzato, Rita B. Ardito & Claudio Imperatori
2024. Resting-state EEG microstates predict mentalizing ability as assessed by the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test. International Journal of Psychophysiology 205 ► pp. 112440 ff. DOI logo
Nejati, Vahid, Maryam Sharifian, Zahra Famininejad, Mohammad Ali Salehinejad & Shahab Mahdian
2024. The neural structures of theory of mind are valence-sensitive: evidence from three tDCS studies. Journal of Neural Transmission 131:9 ► pp. 1067 ff. DOI logo
Wilson, Jack
2024. Pragmatics, Utterance Meaning, and Representational Gesture, DOI logo
Shaikh, Khalid, Sreelekshmi Vivek Bekal, Hesham Fathi Ahmed Marei, Walid Shaaban Moustafa Elsayed, Dusan Surdilovic & Lubna Abdel Jawad
2023. Artificial Intelligence and Learning Algorithms. In Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry, ► pp. 131 ff. DOI logo
Bendtz, Katarina, Sarah Ericsson, Josephine Schneider, Julia Borg, Jana Bašnáková & Julia Uddén
2022. Individual Differences in Indirect Speech Act Processing Found Outside the Language Network. Neurobiology of Language 3:2 ► pp. 287 ff. DOI logo
Licea-Haquet, G.L., A. Reyes-Aguilar, S. Alcauter & M. Giordano
2021. The Neural Substrate of Speech Act Recognition. Neuroscience 471 ► pp. 102 ff. DOI logo
McLaren, Coralee
2021. Turning Points: A Radical Approach to Fostering Movement in Children with Diverse Physical Abilities. Global Performance Studies 4:1 DOI logo
Cotelli, Maria, Rosa Manenti, Elena Gobbi, Ivan Enrici, Danila Rusich, Clarissa Ferrari & Mauro Adenzato
2020. Theory of Mind Performance Predicts tDCS-Mediated Effects on the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: A Pilot Study to Investigate the Role of Sex and Age. Brain Sciences 10:5 ► pp. 257 ff. DOI logo
Di Tella, Marialaura, Mauro Adenzato, Caroline Catmur, Francesca Miti, Lorys Castelli & Rita B. Ardito
2020. The role of alexithymia in social cognition: Evidence from a non-clinical population. Journal of Affective Disorders 273 ► pp. 482 ff. DOI logo
Di Tella, Marialaura, Rita B. Ardito, Federico Dutto & Mauro Adenzato
2020. On the (lack of) association between theory of mind and executive functions: a study in a non-clinical adult sample. Scientific Reports 10:1 DOI logo
Di Tella, Marialaura, Francesca Miti, Rita B. Ardito & Mauro Adenzato
2020. Social cognition and sex: Are men and women really different?. Personality and Individual Differences 162 ► pp. 110045 ff. DOI logo
Fekete, Judit, Zsuzsanna Pótó, Eszter Varga, Tímea Csulak, Orsolya Zsélyi, Tamás Tényi & Róbert Herold
2020. Persons With Schizophrenia Misread Hemingway: A New Approach to Study Theory of Mind in Schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry 11 DOI logo
Massullo, Chiara, Claudio Imperatori, Mauro Adenzato, Riccardo Brunetti, Allegra Indraccolo, Giacomo Della Marca, Benedetto Farina & Rita B. Ardito
2020. Abnormal EEG Power Spectrum in Individuals with High Autistic Personality Traits: an eLORETA Study. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 42:3 ► pp. 560 ff. DOI logo
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2019. Aging, sex and cognitive Theory of Mind: a transcranial direct current stimulation study. Scientific Reports 9:1 DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 29 november 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

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