Chapter 1. Theory of Mind Taking the Perspective of Others

Short Description

A very simple game of “hide the candy” reveals the inability of very young children to take the perspective of others. An adult hides candy in her left or right fist and the child must guess the location of the candy.

Long Description

A very simple game of “hide the candy” reveals the inability of very young children to take the perspective of others. An adult hides candy in her left or right fist and the child must guess the location of the candy. Even young children quickly understand the simple challenge and obviously enjoy the game.

However, when it is the children’s turn to hide the candy, they divide into two groups. The older ones can do it, but the younger ones just do not get it. The latter simply are unable to imagine what their opponent can and cannot see. The young children are hopeless in playing the simple game of deception. For example, one young boy presents the adult with only the fist that contains the candy. Another eats the candy. A third switches the candy from her one fist to the other in view of the adult.

The narrator suggests that seeing into the mind of one’s opponent, and thus achieving mastery of the game, is a matter of maturation.

Questions