Essay on "Mind: Overview and Proposed Experiment 'Theory"
Essay 4 pages (1341 words) Sources: 5 Style: APA
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Mind: Overview and proposed experiment 'Theory of mind' refers to the ability to understand the mental states of others, and often implies that an understanding of what we call 'the mind' is universal, although mental abilities may vary between individuals (Gauvain 1998, p.37). The degree to which a theory of mind is influenced by cultural factors remains a subject of fierce debate amongst scholars in the field of psychology. On one hand, it does seem as if there is a definite physiological component to this cognitive mechanism to understand the mental states of others. Cross-culturally, it seems as if the biological basis of being able to develop a theory of mind begins around age four or five, at least based upon existing literature. For example, Baka children, members of a hunter-gatherer tribe in West Africa, begin to understand that what they think or feel is not necessarily transmittable automatically to everyone else at this age, similar to Westerners (Gauvain 1998, p.38). Such a universal timetable thus suggests that acquiring a theory of mind on the part of children is comparable to Piaget's understanding of the developmental component to comprehending conservation of matter.Supporters of hard-wired 'theory of mind' contend that it could have an evolutionary value, noting that success in the social world often demands empathy and also an understanding of the mental processes of others (Gauvain 1998, p.38). Attributing one's own cognitive abilities and mental states to everyone else in the environment is not a useful survival skill, in other words. However, evidence of the cultural component of a theory of mind lies in children's ability to learn 'social scripts,' like how to play with a t
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Lillard points out to support her contention that even within Western culture, great variances to the degree a theory of mind is adopted exists within particular social groups. The degree to which children are socialized and the children's educational or socioeconomic status seem to influence their ability to perceive differences between their own cognitive processes and the cognitive processes of others. Thus, on one hand, individuals with cognitive disabilities that affect their capacity for empathy like autism may appear to have their 'theory of mind' impaired but not their intellect, but in general, assessments of intellectual skill across a number of domains indicate poorer performance by children regarding their 'theory of mind' who are economically disadvantaged. This suggests that culture has a profound effect upon the biological capabilities that enable the person to develop theory of mind, and that such biological tendencies do not automatically activate without cultural prompting.
At very least, there may be several influences contributing to the development of a theory of mind. Acquiring a theory of mind relies upon both the subject's biological capacity to learn a theory of mind as well as cultural forces. But critics of Lillard suggest that learned, social experience may serve a dual role. These social influences "direct children toward an awareness of the mind and its properties," and there must be that established capacity to have such awareness, even if that capacity can be activated to a greater degree in some individuals than in others, depending on their culture and socialization… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Mind: Overview and Proposed Experiment 'Theory" Assignment:
Please provide an answer to the question at the bottom that is coherent, well-organized, data driven, and clearly articulated. THere is an answer for the question. However, there would not be perfect agreement among all developmental psychologists on many of these questions. Thus, your task is to build your case carefully using the most relevant arguments and data from your reading and from class discussion. Be sure to consider the quality of the empirical evidence you discuss, which involves considering sampling, measurement and design issues. Remember that the best essays assume a naïve, intelligent reader and contain an introduction, body and conclusion. Please do not use a *****laundry list***** approach.
Reference to any of the articles we read should include the authors***** names and date using APA format. If you use the words of the authors, those words must be in quotation marks & include page number. AVOID DIRECT QUOTATION WHENEVER POSSIBLE, HOWEVER.
Please use all the resources I will provide to answer the question, but use ONLY these sources
When providing examples and illustrating arguments with studies, please use the empirical studies we I have provided, if possible, rather than examples provided in chapters.
Citations in APA format. When describing a study based on a secondary source, please indicate the authors and date of the original study followed by "as cited in ..." to identify your source.
Appropriately credit the sources of ideas, concepts, etc.
Pleae don't paste the question at the top of the essay - use your page allotment for content.
***Please only use the references I provide via email and chapter 3 in Cole, M. (2005). Culture in development. In M. H. Bornstein & M. E. Lamb (Eds.), Developmental science: An advanced textbook (5th ed., pp. 45-101). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
QUESTION TO ANSWER:
Lilliard*****s 1998 article questions the assumption in the developmental literature that theory of mind is universal across cultures. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence that she describes. Pick one weakness and propose a single study that would further our understanding of the role that culture plays in children*****s development of theory of mind. Your proposal should have a specific research question and clearly describe the type of study (esp. if it is cultural or cross-cultural) and the specific methods that you would use.
THANK YOU!!!
*****
How to Reference "Mind: Overview and Proposed Experiment 'Theory" Essay in a Bibliography
“Mind: Overview and Proposed Experiment 'Theory.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/mind-overview-proposed-experiment/2005972. Accessed 4 Oct 2024.
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