Original Articles

The Role of Language in Theory of Mind Development

de Villiers, Jill G.; de Villiers, Peter A.

Author Information

Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.

Corresponding Author: Jill G. de Villiers, PhD, Smith College, College Lane, Northampton, MA 01063 ([email protected]).

Dr Jill de Villiers and Dr Peter de Villiers were paid consultants on the development of the software Language for Theory of Mind® 1: Understanding Others' Perceptions, Wants, & Needs by Laureate Learning Systems. Their research on language and theory of mind in typically developing and deaf children was funded by NICDC and NICHD.

Dr Jill de Villiers and Dr Peter de Villiers have indicated that they have no financial and no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Topics in Language Disorders 34(4):p 313-328, October/December 2014. | DOI: 10.1097/TLD.0000000000000037

Abstract

Various arguments are reviewed about the claim that language development is critically connected to the development of theory of mind. The different theories of how language could help in this process of development are explored. A brief account is provided of the controversy over the capacities of infants to read others' false beliefs. Then the empirical literature on the steps in theory of mind development is summarized, considering studies on both typically developing and various language-delayed children. Suggestions are made for intervention by speech language pathologists to enhance the child's access to understanding the minds of others.

© 2014Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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