Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
06:51
The Modified Temptation Resistance Task: A Paradigm to Elicit Children's Strategic Lie-telling
Published on: April 6, 2018
8.6K
Parental reflective functioning and theory of mind acquisition: A developmental perspective
Liesbet Nijssens1, Patrick Luyten1,2, Saskia Malcorps1
1Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.
The British Journal of Developmental Psychology
|May 31, 2021
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Theory of Mind (ToM) is crucial for social interaction.
- Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) influences child development.
- Understanding the interplay between ToM and PRF is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine Theory of Mind (ToM) development in young children.
- To investigate the association between ToM and Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF).
- To explore age-related effects on these associations.
Main Methods:
- A multidimensional and developmental approach was used.
- 83 children aged 3-5 years were studied.
- ToM and PRF were assessed using multiple dimensions.
Main Results:
- ToM dimensions (affective, belief-desire, cognitive) increased with age.
- All PRF dimensions (prementalizing modes, certainty, interest) correlated with ToM.
- Specific PRF dimensions showed differential associations with ToM, moderated by age.
Conclusions:
- ToM develops progressively during early childhood.
- Parental reflective functioning is significantly linked to children's ToM development.
- The relationship between PRF and ToM is complex and age-dependent.
More Related Videos
07:56Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
10.3K
10:11Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism
Published on: December 14, 2012
18.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
239
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...
239
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
79
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
79
01:30Information Processing Approach
268
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...
268
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
724
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
724
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
149
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...
149
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
74
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...
74