Theory of mind: how children understand others' thoughts and feelings

The understanding of belief is central to this text, which explains in simpleterms what representational theory of mind is all about, and shows how researchers have demonstrated this understanding in 4-year-olds. The book considers what leads to this understanding, including the role of pretend play, understanding of attention and eye-direction, and other precursors to representationalunderstanding of mind. The general relevance of theory of mind is demonstrated through coverage of the development of other mental state concepts, and the relationship between understanding mental representation and other representational media. The author also carefully summarises current research on the relationship between theory of mind and concurrent developments in executive functioning, and the understanding of language. The book closes by considering autism. A major achievement of theory of mind research is the light it has helped throw on this puzzling developmental disorder. Providing a comprehensive overview of 25 years of research into theory of mind, the book will be of great interest to both students and researchers in psychology, philosophy and the cognitive sciences. INDICE: Introduction to Theory of Mind. Understanding Belief. Theories of Theory of Mind. Associated Developments 1: Beyond Belief. Associated Developments 2: Understanding Non-Mental Representation. Precursors 1: Pretence. Precursors 2: Understanding Visual Attention. Developmental Interactions 1: Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind. Developmental Interactions 2: Language and Theory of Mind. Autism.

• ISBN: 978-1-84169-570-9
• Editorial: Psychology Press
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 256
• Fecha Publicación: 01/07/2008
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés