Making Minds: How Theory of Mind Develops
Abstract Psychologists and philosophers coined the term “theory of mind” to describe our everyday understanding of the shifting mental states that underpin human actions and interactions. Over the past 25 years, researchers have provided rich, provocative data showing that from an early age, children develop a sophisticated and consistent “theory of mind” by attributing desires, beliefs, and emotions to themselves and others. Infants barely a few months old avidly attend to other humans; 2-year-olds can articulate the desires and feelings of themselves and others and comfort those in distress, and 3- and 4-year-olds talk about thoughts abstractly and begin to engage in lies and trickery. This book provides a comprehensive examination of how theory of mind develops. Building on previous work, this book pulls together' all that we have learned in the past 25 years to make sense of this powerful everyday theory. This book includes chapters on evolution and the brain bases of theory of mind; updated treatments and explanations of theory theory; infant theory of mind as the platform for developments in later childhood; and later developments from middle childhood to adulthood, including how we understand extraordinary minds such as those that belong to gods, superheroes, or supernatural beings. Presented in a lively and accessible style, the book’s research will appeal especially to scholars and students working in psychology, philosophy, education, and cultural studies, as well as cognitive and developmental science.