Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
06:51
The Modified Temptation Resistance Task: A Paradigm to Elicit Children's Strategic Lie-telling
Published on: April 6, 2018
8.8K
Theory of mind development from adolescence to adulthood: Testing the two-component model
Bozana Meinhardt-Injac1,2, Moritz M Daum3,4, Günter Meinhardt2
1Catholic University of Applied Science Berlin (KHSB), Berlin, Germany.
The British Journal of Developmental Psychology
|January 22, 2020
Summary
Adolescence is key for developing social-perceptual Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities, distinct from social-cognitive ToM which develops alongside language and reasoning skills.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Cognition
Background:
- Theory of Mind (ToM) is vital for social functioning and develops rapidly in childhood.
- Limited research exists on ToM development during adolescence and young adulthood.
- Previous studies suggest age-related ToM differences between adolescents and young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in social-perceptual and social-cognitive ToM components.
- To test the two-component model of ToM development in individuals aged 11–25.
- To examine the influence of language, reasoning, and inhibitory control on ToM development.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 267 participants aged 11–25 using the Eye Test (social-perceptual ToM) and Faux Pas Test (social-cognitive ToM).
- Measured covariates including language, reasoning, and inhibitory control.
- Employed linear mixed models (LMM) to analyze age-related changes.
Main Results:
- Substantial improvements observed in both social-perceptual and social-cognitive ToM across adolescence.
- Social-perceptual ToM showed specific age-related growth.
- Social-cognitive ToM development aligned with improvements in language, reasoning, and inhibitory control.
Conclusions:
- Adolescence is a critical period for the development of social-perceptual ToM abilities.
- Results support a distinction between social-perceptual and social-cognitive ToM components.
- The findings highlight specific developmental trajectories for different aspects of Theory of Mind.
More Related Videos
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
10.4K
06:15Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
Published on: October 3, 2018
8.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
414
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
414
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
227
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
227
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
1.2K
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
1.2K
01:30Information Processing Approach
427
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
427
01:19Piaget's Stage 4 of Cognitive Development
464
The formal operational stage, as described in Piaget's cognitive development theory, begins around age 11 and extends into adulthood. It marks the emergence of advanced cognitive abilities that differentiate adolescent and adult thinking from those of younger children. This stage is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical-deductive reasoning, and a more complex understanding of self and others.
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
464
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
191
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
191