Theory of Mind Chapter 12, Zelazo

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Theory of Mind (Chapter 12, Zelazo Frye)Next
time IQ (Chapter 12)
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Theory of mind Thoughts and beliefs about the
mental world
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Premack, D., Woodruff, G. (1978). Does the
chimpanzee have a theory of mind? Behavioral and
Brain Sciences, 1, 515-526.
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An individual has a theory of mind if he imputes
mental states to himself and others. A system of
inference of this kind is properly viewed as a
theory because such states are not directly
observable, and the system can be used to make
predictions about the behavior of others.
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Wimmer, H., Perner, J. (1983). Beliefs about
beliefs Representation and constraining function
of wrong beliefs in young childrens
understanding of deception. Cognition, 13,
103-128.
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False belief Realization that people can hold
beliefs that are not true
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F07_09
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False beliefunexpected locations
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False beliefunexpected locationsFalse
beliefunexpected contents
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Appearance-reality distinction Understanding the
distinction between how objects appear and what
they really are
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Flavell Level 1 Perspective Taking Level
2 Perspective Taking
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Origins of knowledge
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Dual representation The ability to represent an
object in two ways simultaneously
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Infant Developments
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Infant Developments

• Joint Attention

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Joint attention Using cues (such as direction of
gaze) to identify and share the attentional focus
of another
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Infant Developments

• Joint Attention
• Social Referencing

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Social referencing Using information gained from
other people to interpret uncertain situations
and regulate ones own behavior
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Second-Order False Beliefs(beliefs about
beliefs)
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Tonight it's Peter's birthday and Mom is
surprising him with a puppy. She has hidden the
puppy in the basement. Peter says, Mom, I really
hope you get me a puppy for my birthday.
Remember, Mom wants to surprise Peter with a
puppy. So, instead of telling Peter she got him a
puppy, Mom says, Sorry Peter, I did not get you
a puppy for your birthday. I got you a really
great toy instead.Now, Peter says to Mom, Im
going outside to play. On his way outside, Peter
goes down to the basement to fetch his roller
skates. In the basement, Peter finds the birthday
puppy! Peter says to himself, Wow, Mom didnt
get me a toy, she really got me a puppy for my
birthday. Mom does not see Peter go down to the
basement and find the birthday puppy.
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Now, the telephone rings, ding-a-ling! Peters
grandmother calls to find out what time the
birthday party is. Grandma asks Mom on the phone,
Does Peter know what you really got him for his
birthday?Second-order ignorance question. What
does Mom say to Grandma?Then, Grandma says to
Mom, What does Peter think you got him for his
birthday?Second-order false belief question.
What does Mom say to Grandma?Justification
question. Why does Mom say that?
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Research Issues
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Research Issues

• Assessment

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Wellman, H. M, Cross, D., Watson, J. (2001).
Meta-analysis of theory-of-mind development The
truth about false belief. Child Development, 72,
655-684
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Research Issues

• Assessment

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Research Issues

• Assessment
• Links to social experience

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Research Issues

• Assessment
• Links to social experience
• Origins

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Executive function General components of problem
solving, such as short-term memory, metacognitive
awareness, and inhibition