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Mentalisation — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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ModeratePsychotherapyMentalisationMRCPsych Paper B

In the model developed by Peter Fonagy and Anthony Bateman, which statement best defines mentalisation?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Interpreting one's own and others' behaviour in terms of underlying intentional mental states

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · A = shown as E

B is correct. Mentalisation is the implicit or explicit capacity to understand behaviour—one's own and other people's—as arising from intentional mental states such as thoughts, feelings, beliefs, wishes and motives. Mentalisation-based treatment aims to help patients maintain or recover this capacity, particularly during emotionally arousing interpersonal situations. Option A resembles a narrower account of theory of mind because it excludes reflection on the self. Option C describes the psychoanalytic development of insight through interpretation. Option D describes mindfulness or cognitive decentring. Option E describes cognitive restructuring in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Reference: Bateman A, Fonagy P. Mentalization based treatment for borderline personality disorder. World Psychiatry. 2010;9(1):11–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20148147/