Theory of Mind: How Children Understand Other's Thoughts and Feelings

Most of us are continually aware that others have thoughts and feelings - but are children? This book is a concise and readable review of the extensive research into children's understanding of what other people think and feel, a central topic in developmental psychology known as Theory of Mind. The understanding of belief is central to this text, which explains in simple terms what representational theory of mind is all about, and shows how researchers have demonstrated this understanding in 4-year-olds. The book considers what leads to this understanding, and includes chapters on classic and emerging issues in research on attitudes which provide an excellent introduction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It covers all of the most critical features of attitude measurement, attitude development, and attitude change. Implicit and explicit approaches to measurement and conceptualization are featured throughout, making this one of the most up-to-date treatments of attitude theory and research currently available. The book features comprehensive coverage of the central topics in the field, and thus will prove a useful text in advanced courses on persuasion or attitude change.