Development ToM

What is theory of mind?

• persons' concept of mental activities; an understanding that other people possess mental states that involve ideas and views of the world that are different from our own

Self and others

• by 18 months old, infants can recognise their desires are different to other people (Repacholi & Gopnik, 1997)

Testing for ToM

• false belief tests most frequently used to determine if child has ToM

Language 

• must be able to understand 'think' and 'know', words about emotion and desires
• is aided by use of words depicting mental states

Cognitive abilities

• to understand reality and truth
• executive functions
• > metacognition…