Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small-Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu

Henry G.W. Dixson; Aimée F. Komugabe-Dixson; Barnaby J. Dixson; Jason Low

doi:10.1111/cdev.12919

Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small-Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu

Henry G.W. Dixson, Aimée F. Komugabe-Dixson, Barnaby J. Dixson, Jason Low

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2157-2175
Number of pages	19
Journal	Child Development
Volume	89
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12919
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2018
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Authors. Child Development © 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

Access to Document

10.1111/cdev.12919

Cite this

@article{76239528946e42519ffc2c10a0539f5e,

title = "Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small-Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu",

abstract = "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.",

author = "Dixson, {Henry G.W.} and Komugabe-Dixson, {Aim{\'e}e F.} and Dixson, {Barnaby J.} and Jason Low",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 The Authors. Child Development {\textcopyright} 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.",

year = "2018",

month = nov,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1111/cdev.12919",

language = "English",

volume = "89",

pages = "2157--2175",

journal = "Child Development",

issn = "0009-3920",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd",

number = "6",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small-Scale Society

T2 - A Case Study From Vanuatu

AU - Dixson, Henry G.W.

AU - Komugabe-Dixson, Aimée F.

AU - Dixson, Barnaby J.

AU - Low, Jason

PY - 2018/11/1

Y1 - 2018/11/1

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85055947985&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/cdev.12919

DO - 10.1111/cdev.12919

M3 - Article

C2 - 28984351

AN - SCOPUS:85055947985

SN - 0009-3920

VL - 89

SP - 2157

EP - 2175

JO - Child Development

JF - Child Development

IS - 6

ER -

Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small-Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this