PSYC20008: Developmental Psychology Lecture 3

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Questions and Answers

What does Theory of Mind refer to?

The ability to understand one's own emotions

The attribution of mental states to oneself and to other people (correct)

The ability to understand other people's behavior

The ability to understand one's own mental states

According to Slaughter (2015), what is Theory of Mind?

A fundamental skill to understand and get along with other people (correct)

A way to understand one's own mental states

A way to track people's emotions

A theory to understand human behavior

What is an example of a mental state?

Behavior

Action

Feeling

Idea (correct)

What is the relationship between Theory of Mind and social interactions?

Theory of Mind is used in social interactions to understand others Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically develop refined joint attention?

3 months Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of 12-month-old infants' social understanding?

Understanding others' desires Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically develop pretend play?

24 months Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of 3-year-olds show evidence of false belief understanding?

None Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of 5-year-old children's social understanding?

Preliminary interpretative ToM 2 Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor associated with Theory of Mind development?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically develop an understanding of sarcasm and irony?

9 years Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of 18-month-old infants' social understanding?

Joint attention (refined) Signup and view all the answers

What is included in Theory of Mind experiences?

Pretend play and deception Signup and view all the answers

How does Theory of Mind develop?

Through a combination of biological maturation, cognitive integration, and social shaping Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a way Theory of Mind develops?

Moral reasoning and cognitive development Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Theory of Mind and neurodevelopmental disorders?

Theory of Mind is related to neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a social experience that shapes Theory of Mind?

Pretend play with peers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that social development influences the development of Theory of Mind?

Through increasingly complex interactions with others Signup and view all the answers

According to research, what is the relationship between the number of siblings and the development of Theory of Mind?

Children with multiple siblings have higher ToM scores than children with fewer siblings Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cultural influences in the development of Theory of Mind?

Cultural influences provide contexts for predicting likely mental states Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of sibling constellations in the development of Theory of Mind?

Sibling constellations provide opportunities to witness separate mental states Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that family relationships influence the development of Theory of Mind?

Through diversity of relationships providing models for diversity of mental states Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of research conducted by McAlister and Peterson (2013)?

Children with multiple siblings have higher ToM scores than children with fewer siblings Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range of children studied in the research by McAlister and Peterson (2013)?

3-6 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that influences the development of Theory of Mind?

Social development Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theory of Mind

Theory of Mind (ToM) is the attribution of mental states (ideas, thoughts, knowledge, emotions, desires, beliefs) to oneself and others, understanding how people's mental states influence behavior.
ToM is a fundamental skill that helps us understand and get along with others.

Examples of Theory of Mind Experiences

Cooperative play
Pretend play
Joint attention
Deception
Empathy
Gesture
Role taking
Communication
Moral reasoning
Sarcasm

Development of Theory of Mind

ToM develops alongside biological maturation of brain systems, cognitive integration of various cognitive skills, and social experiences shaped by cultural and social environments.

Changes in Theory of Mind Over Time

Early infancy: interest in others
3 months: joint attention (rudimentary)
8 months: intention (desire to act a certain way)
9 months: gesture (communication, pointing)
12 months: understanding others' desires
18 months: joint attention (refined), imitation, sensitivity to others' intentions
24 months: pretend play
3 years: understanding of false beliefs
4 years: understanding of false beliefs
5 years: preliminary interpretative ToM
6 years: second-order ToM
9 years: advanced interpretative ToM, preliminary understanding of sarcasm, irony

Factors Associated with Theory of Mind Development

Biological development (age)
Social development: increasingly complex interactions with others, understanding of others, and cultural influences
Family relationships: diversity of relationships provides models for diversity of mental states
Sibling constellations: opportunities to witness separate mental states (role models, conflict, play)

Sibling Constellations and Theory of Mind

Having siblings is associated with a higher ToM score
Children with 3 siblings have a higher ToM score than children with 2 siblings
Children with 2 siblings have a higher ToM score than children with 1 sibling

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This quiz covers the theory of mind and its development in the context of developmental psychology. It explores the concept of the assessment literacy hurdle and its significance.