theory of mind

The 'theory of mind' is a fundamental concept in psychology that helps explain how we understand and predict others' thoughts and behaviors.

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Definition

(academic, technical)The cognitive ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs, desires, and emotions different from one's own.

Children typically develop a theory of mind around age four, enabling them to understand that others can hold false beliefs.
Having a well-developed theory of mind is crucial for successful social interactions.

(academic, general)The capacity to infer and predict the mental states and behaviors of others.

A strong theory of mind allows us to navigate complex social situations by predicting how others might react.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "theory of mind":