Theory of Mind
Title
Theory of Mind
Author
Wellman, Henry
Research Area
Cognition and Emotions
Topic
Cognitive Development
Abstract
Humans are a social species. We not only live socially, but also think socially, accumulating myriad thoughts and knowledge about our social world. A hallmark of this human social cognition is an everyday theory of mind––our ordinary human understanding that persons (self and others) have internal mental states––desires, beliefs, feelings, hopes—that crucially shape their actions and lives. I review classic and current knowledge on the nature and importance of theory of mind. Theory of mind is achieved and changes over human development; so, I emphasize that we must understand its development. Fortunately, development of this everyday theory of mind is an intriguing story in its own right, and a great portion of the research on theory of mind is developmental research with typical and atypical infants and children.