Relations between Executive Functions and different levels of Theory of Mind in children

Abstract

ToM is a complex cognitive process consisting of a variety of sequenced achievements that develops gradually from infancy to adulthood. In this field, part of the debate focuses on identifying how individual differences influence the development of ToM. Several recent studies have found a relationship between ToM development and executive functioning, emphasizing working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility or planning. In line with these results, the aim of this research was to explore the role of different aspects of executive functions in ToM. To achieve this, 90 children aged between 4 and 8 years were assessed in ToM and executive function tasks. We found that executive functions were related to ToM in different ways depending on the level of ToM. This supports the view that as ToM skills evolve there is a change in the executive skills that support them

This research was funded by a pre-doctoral scholarship (BR07/18) from the University of Girona, and by the project SEJ2006-12039/PSIC from the Ministry of Education and Science. Also, statistical assessment was offered by the vice-dean and the Research Technical Service from the University of Girona