Imagine the following scenario: In a research study of theory of mind, children are shown a candy box with the lid closed. The researcher asks them to predict what is in the box. Naturally, the children say, "Candy." Next, the researcher shows the children that, in reality, there are pencils in the box. Finally, the researcher asks the children to predict what a friend will say is in the box. ________ four-year-olds would most likely tend to say ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nonautistic children have a developed theory of mind and understand that other people can have different beliefs than their own. Based on their own initial prediction and the fact that the candy box has proven to contain pencils, they are likely to predict that their friend will also think that it contains candy. This is known as the false belief task, where children are asked to predict what other people with different beliefs will think or do. Autistic children often have difficulty with theory of mind tasks, including the false belief task, and may have difficulty understanding that other people can have different beliefs than their own. Therefore, they may not give a predictable answer in this scenario. It is important to note that autism is a spectrum disorder and not all individuals with autism will have difficulty with theory of mind tasks.

Imagine the Following Scenario: in a Research Study of Theory