Theory of Mind During Infancy and Early Childhood Across Cultures, Development of

Sodian, Beate und Kristen-Antonow, Susanne (2015): Theory of Mind During Infancy and Early Childhood Across Cultures, Development of. In: Wright, James D. (ed.) : International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition). Oxford: Elsevier. pp. 268-273

Abstract

This article presents a summary of Theory of Mind (ToM) development across cultures. It presents cross-linguistic and cross-cultural research on implicit and explicit ToM skills, ranging from ToM in infancy through children's emerging mental state talk to children's explicit comprehension that others might hold false beliefs and that their actions are guided by them. It is argued that more research is needed, especially research contrasting the multiple facets (parental practices, beliefs, language) through which culture might contribute to ToM development. Finally, cultural effects on the relations between ToM and its developmental factors are discussed.

• Item Type: Encyclopedia article
• Keywords: Belief/desire psychology; Cross-cultural; Cross-linguistic; Explicit; False belief; Implicit; Infancy; Intention understanding; Joint attention; Language; Mental states; Preschool age; Theory of mind
• Faculties: Psychology and Education Science > Department Psychology > Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology; 300 Social sciences > 370 Education
• Place of Publication: Oxford
• Language: English