Developmental Psychology: Theory of Mind and Metacognition

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the development of theory of mind and metacognition in children.

Theory of Mind

The awareness that oneself and others can have different thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives.

Metacognition

The ability to think about one’s own thinking and understanding.

False Belief

The understanding that others can hold beliefs that are different from one's own and may be incorrect.

False-belief tasks

Tasks designed to assess a child's understanding that other people can hold beliefs that differ from reality.

Perspective Taking

The ability to see things from another person's viewpoint; an aspect of social cognition.

Vulnerability to Suggestion

The tendency of preschool-age children to be more easily influenced by prompts or cues compared to older children and adults.

Onset of Theory of Mind Development

The period in childhood when children start to understand their own and others' thoughts, typically around ages 4 to 5.

Impact of Conversations on Theory of Mind

Everyday discussions with parents can help shape a child's understanding of mental states and beliefs.