Training older adults on Theory of Mind (ToM): Transfer on metamemory

•We examined the efficacy of a conversation-based ToM training for older adults.•ToM training promotes improvements on older adults’ understanding of mental states.•ToM intervention effects generalize to metamemory knowledge of older adults.•Mental states conversations influence ToM ability of older adults.

BackgroundResearch on aging has shown a significant decline in ToM after 65 years of age. Despite these age-related difficulties, no study has yet investigated the possibility to improve ToM in older adults. To address this gap we tested the efficacy of a conversation-based ToM training with age-appropriate ToM tasks and its transfer effects on metamemory.MethodWe examined 72 older adults (Mage = 67.61 years, SD = 6.39 years) assigned to three training conditions: a ToM training, a physical-conversation training and a social-contact group. All participants took part in two 2-h testing and to two 2-h training sessions.ResultsResults showed that after the intervention, older adults in the ToM training group improved their mental states’ understanding significantly more than participants in the physical-conversation training and in the social-contact groups. Crucially, the positive effect of the ToM intervention generalized to metamemory knowledge.ConclusionsThis is the first study investigating the efficacy of a ToM training and its transfer effect on metacognition in older adults. From a theoretical point of view, it supports the relation between ToM and metamemory. Practical implications of these data are discussed.