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Chapter 6: Problem 5

Summarize the theory of mind and evidence of infants' growing sense of mental activity by the age of two. Infants also begin to develop a theory of mind at this time: knowledge and beliefs about how they and others think.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The theory of mind is the understanding that oneself and others have independent mental states and thoughts. It starts developing in infancy with signs being seen by age two as infants interact with others and adjust to their emotions and behaviors. Evidence includes infants' use of joint attention, identifying emotions in others, and engaging in pretend play.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Theory of Mind

The theory of mind refers to the ability to attribute mental states, like beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge, etc., to oneself and to others. It’s also about understanding that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own.
02

Development of Theory of Mind in Infants

This cognitive ability starts developing in infancy and continues into adulthood. By the age of two, infants start showing signs of understanding that other people have thoughts, feelings, and knowledge that might be different from their own. This is seen through their social interactions and how they respond to the behavior and emotions of others.
03

Evidence of Infants' Growing Sense of Mental Activity

Scientific studies provide evidence of infants' growing sense of mental activity. One sign is infants' use of joint attention, like following the gaze of others, which demonstrates they understand that other people can direct their attention. By the end of their second year, many infants can identify emotions in others, link causes to emotions, and adjust their behavior accordingly. Evidence also includes their engagement in pretend play, which suggests their understanding that others can have different thoughts and beliefs.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe individual differences that distinguish an infant's personality. The origins of personality, the sum total of the enduring characteristics that differentiate one individual from another, arise during infancy.

Discuss the development of relationships in infancy. Through a process of reciprocal socialization, infants and caregivers interact and affect one another's behavior, which strengthens their mutual relationship. From an early age, infants engage in rudimentary forms of social interaction with other children, and their level of sociability rises as they age.

Differentiate stranger anxiety from separation anxiety. By the end of the first year, infants often develop both stranger anxiety-wariness around an unknown person-and separation anxiety - distress displayed when a customary care provider departs.

Discuss how the gender of a child affects his or her development in the first two years of life. As infants age, gender differences become more pronounced, mostly due to environmental influences. Differences are accentuated by parental expectations and behavior.

Discuss the development of social referencing and nonverbal decoding abilities. Through social referencing, infants from the age of eight or nine months use the expressions of others to clarify ambiguous situations and learn appropriate reactions to them. Early in life, infants develop the capability of nonverbal decoding: determining the emotional states of others based on their facial and vocal expressions.
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