Work

Observant, nonaggressive temperament predicts theory‐of‐mind development

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Temperament dimensions influence children's approach to and participation in social interactive experiences which reflect and impact children's social understandings. Therefore, temperament differences might substantially impact theory of mind development in early childhood. Using longitudinal data, we report that certain early temperament characteristics (at age 3)--lack of aggressiveness, a shy-withdrawn stance to social interaction, and social-perceptual sensitivity--predict children's more advanced theory-of-mind understanding two years later. The findings contribute to our understanding of how theory of mind develops in the formative preschool period; they may also inform debates as to the evolutionary origins of theory of mind.

Source: Developmental Science

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2010.00977.x

Authors: Henry M. Wellman, Jonathan D. Lane, Jennifer LaBounty, Sheryl L. Olson

Institutions: University of Michigan, Lewis & Clark College

Language: English

Topic: Child and Animal Learning Development

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Awards: G100306670, G1811013830, The Child's Theory of Mind, SOCIAL RISK AND SELF REGULATION PROBLEMS IN CHILDHOOD