Psych 1306 Language and Thought

Intro to Theory of Mind(Next week)

Number Word AcquisitionAcquisition of how count list represent

numerositiesFigure out what “one”, “two”, and “three”

mean through PI (object files).Induction

Figure out what unmapped # words is all about. I.e. How labeling each object of a set with a

corresponding #, and final # = numerosity of set. Successor function: +1

How count list represent quantity & then is linked up to AM.

Leftover

Language and RepresentationNumber word (symbol) itself is the

representationAllows representation of exact numerosity“seven” – seven objects

Count list: Cultural artifact serving to enumerate objects

Munduruku & Pirahã lack count list

Leftover

Theory of Mindthe ability to attribute mental states—beliefs,

intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires and intentions that are different from one's own.

Does the chimpanzee have a theory of mind? 30 years laterCall & Tomasello (2008)Optional paper

Reviewed in Call & Tomasello

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/ht/tm/3504.html?site=16&pl=qt&rate=hi&ch=5

Reviewed in Call & Tomasello

Informed or not of food

Pointing

Cooperative Behavior

Representing that others have False Belieffalse belief - a misconception resulting from

incorrect reasoning

Reviewed in Call & TomaselloDevelopment: 3-year-old vs. 4-year-old

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/ht/tm/3504.html?site=16&pl=qt&rate=hi&ch=5

Call & Tomasello (1999)“A Non-Verbal False Belief Task: The

Performance of Children and Great Apes”

Experimental Setup

Step 1: Understanding of Indication Method1. H hides sticker in one of two identical boxes while C watches2. Boxes then presented to child (Occluder removed)3. C indicates hiding location4. Participant guesses

Experimental Setup

Visible Displacement1. C indicates2. C leaves3. H moves sticker (A B)4. C returns5. Participant guesses

Invisible Displacement1. C indicates2. C leaves3. H moves (swap) containers4. C returns5. Participant guesses

Ignoring Communicator1. C leaves2. H moves sticker (A B)3. C returns 4. C indicates5. Participant guesses

False Belief1. C leaves2. H moves (swap) containers3. C returns4. C indicates5. Participant guesses

After H hides sticker behind occluder and presents the boxes.

Results

Results

Results

Language involvement in representation of false belief???

Onishi & BaillergeonVIDEO OF EXPERIMENTAL SETUP