5] imagination 2 ways to get inside other peoples heads: Simulation theory- Simulation= The thinking person X does when reasoning to theoretical or practical conclusion can be simulated in person Y, who need not be committed to the thoughts entertained and not be in the same situation Can allow Y to work out what X will think or do. Theory theory- Theory= implicit or explicit rules of inference given set of starting conditions. As any theory, has generalisations which can apply to individual cases. Competing explanations: 'Theory theory' of theory of mind ( <- no joke) · implies a conceptual shift in understanding minds • acquire a theory of other minds 'Simulation theory' of theory of mind · implies a gradual development in understanding minds · improve the ability to set aside our own perspective Hybrids are ones who use both stimulation and rules- however some groups o some populations don't have theory of mind - Theories are descriptive: Explain known phenomena/ data/ observations - Theories are explanatory: They explain their subject matter well - Theories generate testable hypotheses: They make predictions Theory theory would say that children experienced this radical shift in understanding the mind so before they have a theory, they will get the wrong answer and then they give the correct answer In test of false belief. Stimulation theory would say children gradually improve and you can help them give a better answer What does the data say? · Wellman et al.'s (2005) meta- analysis shows that 3-year- olds fail but 4-year-olds pass . Does that prove that they have acquired a theory of mind (theory theory)? · No . We don't know what the shift is (e.g., executive function) · Pattern of data could be an artefact of measuring understanding the mind B . Meta-analysis Wellman et al (2001): The truth about false belief + 1000+ of studies show that 3 years old fail and 4 year old pass FB tests · Stage in development: Pruportion Comic (Logit) · Children undergo a radical conceptual shiff at 4 years of age (Porner, Gopnik); acquire a theory of mind · Gradual development: . Children get better at setting aside their own knowledge of reality. No radical shift. .
Measuring skill as pass or fail= Scene 1: Maxi puts his chocolate in the cupboard - If predict object location, you fail - If you predict the false belief location, you pass Scene 2: Later, Mum moves it to the fridge Predict Object Location = FAIL ? Some points on theory of mind: - Easier to describe than explain it - Competing theories- few predictions, Hard to test - Something happens at age 4, 7 and again in adolescence Predict False Belief Location = PASS Understanding other people: . By treating invisible 'things' like mental states/ minds/ beliefs as real The puzzle of pretense: · How is it possible for a child to think about a banana as if it were a telephone ....? · Requires simultaneous representations: · the