What ability allows individuals to understand their own and others' mental states?

The ability that allows individuals to understand their own and others' mental states is called mentalization. Mentalization involves recognizing and interpreting the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions of oneself and others, which is crucial for effective social interaction. This skill helps people navigate complex social situations by allowing them to predict and understand behaviors based on the mental states attributed to others.

In contrast, empathy focuses more specifically on the ability to share and understand the emotional experiences of others. Introspection is the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings but does not necessarily involve understanding others' states. Metacognition refers to thinking about one's own thinking and understanding processes, which is more about self-regulation and awareness rather than directly interpreting others' mental states. Therefore, mentalization is the most comprehensive term that encompasses the understanding of both self and others in terms of mental contexts.