Externally-based mentalization derives the mental states of both the self and others primarily from external cues, such as facial expressions,  verbal expressions, body language, and other observable signals.

New York University

1. automatic vs. controlled (implicit vs. explicit)
2. internally based vs. externally based
3. self-oriented vs. other-oriented
4. cognitive processes vs. affective processes

4 Dimensions of Mentalization

Fonagy, P., & Luyten, P. (2009). A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder. Development and psychopathology, 21(4), 1355-1381.

A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder (Fonagy & Luyten, 2009)

Cognitive mentalizing refers to the mental activities involved in understanding and deducing the intentions, thoughts, motivations, goals, and beliefs of both self and other individuals. 

Cognitive mentalizing 

Affective mentalizing refers to the mental activities involved in understanding and inferring emotions of mental states in both self and others, which is a pre-requisite to empathize and experience a genuine sense of self. 

Affective mentalizing 

Internally-based mentalizing primarily relies on perspective-taking or introspective reflections when drawing inferences about the mental states of oneself and others. 

Internally based mentalizing

Self-oriented mentalizing refers to the mental activities involved in comprehending one's own feelings, motivations, intentions, thoughts, and other internal states.

Self mentalizing / Self-oriented mentalizing

Other-oriented mentalizing refers to the mental activities involved in understanding and drawing inferences about other people's mental states. 

Other mentalizing / Other-oriented mentalizing

Externally based mentalizing

Automatic/implicit mentalizing refers to a rapid, reflexive, effortless, and unconscious process of inferring the mental states of oneself and others.

Automatic mentalizing 

Controlled/explicit mentalizing refers to the sequential cognitive process involved in comprehending the mental states of oneself and others. Controlled mentalizing is a deliberate process that requires reflection, attention, and conscious efforts. 

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