When children develop theory-of-mind (TOM), they gain a crucial ability: they can recognize that other people have separate mental states from their own. This means they understand others can have different:
Thoughts: People can believe things that aren’t true, even if the child knows the truth.
Feelings: People can feel happy, sad, or angry about things, even if the child wouldn’t feel the same way.
Beliefs: People can have different desires and goals that influence their actions.
When children develop theory-of-mind (TOM), they gain a crucial ability: they can recognize that other people have separate mental states from their own. This means they understand others can have different:
Thoughts: People can believe things that aren’t true, even if the child knows the truth.
Feelings: People can feel happy, sad, or angry about things, even if the child wouldn’t feel the same way.
Beliefs: People can have different desires and goals that influence their actions.
This understanding is a major leap in social cognition, allowing children to:
Predict and explain other people’s behavior.
Develop empathy and compassion.
Engage in more complex forms of play and communication.