What is theory of mind? What is the false belief task (FBT)? How does the FBT assess children's understanding of theory of mind? Do the results of the FBT apply across cultures? Do FBT results apply to non-WEIRD as well as WEIRD countries? What do these cross-cultural results on the FBT tell us about the universality of the development of theory of mind? Are there any criticisms of the false belief task (FBT) as a measure of theory of mind development?

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Essay

Word count – 1500 words

Weighting -this essay is worth 50% of your module grade

Title: Does the development of theory of mind apply across cultures?

Try to address the following questions in answering your essay:

What is theory of mind?

What is the false belief task (FBT)?

How does the FBT assess children’s understanding of theory of mind?

Do the results of the FBT apply across cultures?

Do FBT results apply to non-WEIRD as well as WEIRD countries?

What do these cross-cultural results on the FBT tell us about the universality of the development of theory of mind?

Are there any criticisms of the false belief task (FBT) as a measure of theory of mind development?

Information

Students are encouraged to cite and explain research on theory of mind from ‘non-WEIRD’ countries in answering this essay question.