Theory of Mind

Theory of Mind

1. understanding that other people have mental states that drive their actions.

   • mental states:
     • emotions
     • intentions
     • beliefs

2. understanding that mental states cause human behaviour.

3. understanding that someone else's mental state are separate to yours, and so may be different to your own.

4. Wellman (1990) suggested that we learn the mental states in order: emotions, intentions, beliefs.

5. EMOTIONS

   • learnt first as they are visible.
   • still complex.
     • can be emotionally ambivalent about an event.

6. INTENTIONS

   • mental states containing your attitude towards the world.
   • cannot be false.
     • can lie to yourself.
     • can be self destructive.
     • others can dislike you for them.

7. BELIEFS

   • all the things you think are true about existence.
   • can be true of false.
   • understanding others' beliefs can be very complicated.