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Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small‐Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu
Author(s) -
Dixson Henry G. W.,
KomugabeDixson Aimée F.,
Dixson Barnaby J.,
Low Jason
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.12919
Subject(s) - psychology , theory of mind , diversity (politics) , scale (ratio) , child development , cultural diversity , developmental psychology , social psychology , sociology , geography , cognition , anthropology , cartography , neuroscience
Although theory of mind (ToM) is argued to emerge between 3 and 5 years of age, data from non‐Western, small‐scale societies suggest diversity. Deeper investigations into these settings are warranted. In the current study, over 400 Melanesian children from Vanuatu (range = 3–14 years), growing up in either urban or rural remote environments, completed culturally tailored ToM batteries. Results show a marked delay in false belief ( FB ) performance, particularly among participants from rural villages. By further investigating a diverse range of concepts beyond FB , we illustrate two unique cultural sequences for a suite of mental state concepts among urban and rural ni‐Vanuatu children. Implications for social and cultural influences on the development of ToM are discussed.