Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
06:51
The Modified Temptation Resistance Task: A Paradigm to Elicit Children's Strategic Lie-telling
Published on: April 6, 2018
8.7K
Theory of mind, executive function, and lying in children: a meta-analysis
Liyang Sai1, Siyuan Shang1, Cleo Tay2
1Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
Developmental Science
|February 5, 2021
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Lying in children has been studied for over a century, with early research focusing on moral and social factors.
- Cognitive factors, specifically theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF), are increasingly recognized as crucial for understanding children's lying.
- Existing empirical evidence on the relationship between children's cognitive abilities and lying behavior is inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between children's lying and theory of mind (ToM).
- To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between children's lying and executive function (EF).
- To clarify the role of ToM and EF in the development of children's capacity for deception.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a meta-analysis of 47 previously published studies.
- Included 5099 participants aged 2 to 19 years.
- Analyzed 74 effect sizes for ToM and 94 effect sizes for EF associations with children's lying.
Main Results:
- Found statistically significant, though small, positive correlations between children's lying and ToM (r = .17).
- Found statistically significant, though small, positive correlations between children's lying and EF (r = .13).
- Executive function showed a weaker association with initiating lies compared to maintaining lies.
Conclusions:
- Theory of Mind and Executive Function are positively associated with children's lying behavior.
- These cognitive abilities play a demonstrable role in the development of children's deception skills.
- The findings provide a clearer understanding of the cognitive underpinnings of childhood lying.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Understanding Deception
74
Deception is a pervasive aspect of human communication. Empirical studies have shown that most individuals engage in some form of deceit on a daily basis, with approximately 20% of social exchanges involving deceptive elements. Lying follows a developmental trajectory, peaking during adolescence and declining with age, possibly due to the maturation of cognitive control and social accountability.Cognitive and Social Factors in Deception DetectionDespite its prevalence, accurately detecting...
74
01:30Information Processing Approach
298
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...
298
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
173
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...
173
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
109
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...
109
01:15Theory of Attribution I: Correspondent Inference Theory
187
Correspondent inference theory, proposed by Jones and Davis in 1965, seeks to explain how individuals infer stable personality traits from observed behaviors. It suggests that people attribute actions to underlying dispositions rather than external circumstances, particularly when the behavior appears intentional and socially significant.Voluntary Behavior and Dispositional AttributionAccording to this theory, individuals are more likely to attribute behavior to personal traits when it appears...
187
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
294
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...
294