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The foundations of psychological understanding
Article first published online: 24 OCT 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2006.00531.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Goswami, U. (2006), The foundations of psychological understanding. Developmental Science, 9: 545–550. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2006.00531.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 OCT 2006
- Article first published online: 24 OCT 2006
- Received: 29 May 2006 Accepted: 4 July 2006
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Abstract
In this paper, I review some recent submissions to Developmental Science that advance our understanding of psychological development. More and more submissions to the journal explore the origins of knowledge and, for psychological knowledge, such origins are multiple. Here I consider the contribution of mechanisms such as contingency detection, gaze following and gaze monitoring, social referencing and joint attention to emergent psychological understanding. I also consider infant understanding of goal-directed action, and the intimate connection between language acquisition and psychological development. The centrality of intention-reading skills to both language and social cognition is highlighted.