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A longitudinal, microgenetic study of the emergence of false belief understanding and inhibition skills
Article first published online: 16 JAN 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2004.00326.x
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How to Cite
Flynn, E., O'Malley, C. and Wood, D. (2004), A longitudinal, microgenetic study of the emergence of false belief understanding and inhibition skills. Developmental Science, 7: 103–115. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2004.00326.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 JAN 2004
- Article first published online: 16 JAN 2004
- Received: 18 June 2002 Accepted: 20 December 2002
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Abstract
Two theories that attempt to explain the relationship between false belief understanding and inhibition skills were investigated: (1) theory of mind development improves self-control, and (2) executive control is necessary for developing a theory of mind. A microgenetic approach was adopted, with a group of 21 children completing a battery of inhibition and false belief understanding tasks every four weeks for six phases of testing. The results showed that the majority of children were able to perform well on a test of executive inhibition before having a good understanding of false beliefs, thus supporting theory (2). The results also illustrated that while the children's inhibition skills developed relatively gradually, their understanding of false beliefs progressed from a consistent lack of understanding through a period of unstable performance, during which some children failed tests that they had previously passed.