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Children’s development of a theory of mind

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Abstract

A critical review of the literature on the theory of mind is presented. Consistent with the “early onset” view, it is suggested that important precursors of a theory of mind are found much earlier than the age of 4. Research on emotional development and intentional communication is reviewed to suggest that some rudimentary understanding of other people’s minds occurs before the age of 2. Later, 3-year-olds’ engagement in pretense and deception demonstrates a more sophisticated understanding of other people’s mental states. Limitations of the false belief task for determining the acquisition of a theory of mind will be discussed with reference to findings in the adult literature.

Résumé

Les auteurs présentent une revue critique de la littérature concernant la théorie de l’esprit. En accord avec le point de vue “early oneset”, il apparaît que d’importants précurseurs de la théorie de l’esprit s’y sont intéressé bien avant l’âge de quatre ans. Les recherches sur le développement émotionnel et la communication intentionnelle suggèrent que certaines compréhensions rudimentaires du mental des autres s’observent avant l’âge de deux ans. Plus tard, à trois ans, les comportements de simulacre et de déceptions plaident en faveur d’une compréhension plus sophistiquée des états mentaux des autres. A partir des résultats provenant de la littérature sur les adultes, les auteurs discutent ensuite des limites inhérentes à la tâche de la fausse croyance pour étudier l’acquisition d’une théorie de l’esprit.

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  1. University of Padova, Italy

    Maria Rosaria Cadinu

  2. University of Urbino, Italy

    Jeff Kiesner

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  1. Maria Rosaria Cadinu
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Cadinu, M.R., Kiesner, J. Children’s development of a theory of mind. Eur J Psychol Educ 15, 93–111 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03173169

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