Informational success of communication at different stages of theory of mind development

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Abstract

The study focused on the issue of cognitive bases of communicative success in preschoolers. Mental model (theory of mind) is considered as the basis of social understanding. We assume that the ability to understand and transmit messages in the communication process is mediated by the formation of mental understanding of self and others. The study involved 50 children aged 4 to 6 years, a total of 28 girls and 22 boys. We developed and tested tasks and criteria to assess the perception of the communication partner and the transmission efficiency of communication messages. The data analysis showed differences in the strategies of partner selection for communication in children of 4 and 6 years old, as well as coordinated development aspects of mind and successful communication. We conclude that socio-cognitive and informational aspects of the communicative behavior of preschool children are connected, which creates the fundamental basis for the development of their auxiliary and correction.

General Information

Keywords: theory of mind, socio-cognitive abilities, reference communication, communicative success, information richness of messages, understanding mental and physical world, perception of the communication partner

Journal rubric: Social Psychology

Article type: scientific article

For citation: Ulanova A.Y., Sergienko E.A. Informational success of communication at different stages of theory of mind development. Eksperimental'naâ psihologiâ = Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2015. Vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 60–72. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

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Information About the Authors

Anna Y. Ulanova, PhD in Psychology, Senior Researcher, Institute of Psychology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8757-0916, e-mail: rachugina@gmail.com

Elena A. Sergienko, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Principal researcher, Laboratory of Psychology of the development of the subject in normal and post-traumatic states, Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4068-9116, e-mail: elenas13@mail.ru

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