| Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to infer and reason about mental states of their own and others, and use such reasoning to explain and predict behavior. For adults, foreign behavioral research on adults theory of mind has focused on the belief reasoning,relation between theory of mind and executive function, theory of mind and language, theory of mind and aging, and so on. It is children's research paradigm expanded on adults, inclined to cognitive factors.Domestic behavior research on theory of mind in normal adult is very small, only two general reviews, only three empirical researches(Charpter 1).Machiavellian beliefs are (Machiavellian) who pay special attention to personal interests, be good at manipulating others, should be those who are excellent in mind-reading. Some studies found that theory of mind in adults or college students (mainly through eyes task and theory of mind stories) and their Machiavellian beliefs were significantly negatively correlated (Lee, & Ashton,2005, Lyons, Caldwell, & Shultz,2010) or positively correlated (Davis & Stone,2003; Sutton,2001) or not significantly related (Ali,& Chamorro-Premuzic,2010). At the same time, many studies found that men Machiavellianism belief were significantly higher than women (Andrew, Cooke, & Muncer,2008; Austin, Farrelly, Black, & Moore,2007; Muncer, & Ling, 2006; McHoskey,2001). If so, then the higher the Machiavellianism in adults or college students, whose theory of mind is correspondingly significantly lower or higher or not significantly relative, and then men's Machiavellianism is higher than women's, then men's theory of mind will tend to be lower or higher than women's or not significantly relative? Or in other words, the effects Machiavellianism on different sex about theory of mind is the same? Study abroad has not answered this question, and research in Chinese Mainland has not studied the associations between adult theory of mind, gender, Machiavellianism, which is the first concern in this study.From a development perspective, the outcomes of studies on children's theory of mind and Machiavellianism scale (referred to as March scale) are different from adults. More researches support that children who are higher Machiavellianism are higher theory of mind skills (Sutton, Smith, & Swettenham,1999; Sutton, & Keogh,2000; Andreou,2004; Arefi,2010). So studies the development on adolescents'theory of mind in and its personality factors such as Machiavellianism is the second concern in our study.Nettle& Liddle (2008) found that one of the Big Five personality factors agreeableness (Agreeable) is not significantly relative to social-perceptual factors in theory of mind("Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test).The Agreeable of female university students is much higher than male students,but the scores on eyes task in female university students is only slightly higher than male students. This does not seem consistent with common sense. Since the Agreeable in female students was significantly higher, one can reasonably assum that they are also more sensitive to the feelings of others, more considerate, but why their scores on eyes task which demands people recognize emotion by virue of eye area is not significantly different from that of male students? More accurate, Is higher Agreeable in female college students also higher theory of mind (eyes task represents)? Nettle & Liddle (2008) did not mention this. This is the third concern in our study(Charpter 2).In comparison with the results of similar studies abroad, the personality measurement tools and theory of mimd measurement tool used in this study are the same with those of foreign researches. Before the formal study, much meticulous and much patient work is done on the English eyes task accurate translation into Chinese eyes task(Charpter 3). Make a pre-study on Machiavellianism Scale and IPIP Personality Inventory scale.Considering the results of exploratory factor analysis and the original factors and the original structure, and ultimately researchers determined to keep the original factors and structures unchanged in two personality scales(Charpter 4).Researchers applicated Mach-IV and IPIP Personality Inventory(50-items), the story of multi-layer nested theory of mind and eyes task, to the 118 college students age of 18 and more than 18 years (the average age 20.77 year,SD=1.32)(Charpter 5).This study found that the Agreeable of IPIP Personality Inventory in college students is not significantly correlated with eyes task. There was no sex difference in eyes task.The story of multiple nested theory of mind tasks in college students reach a ceiling effect, and the association between gender, IPIP Personality Inventory, Mach-IV, theory of mind stories was not significantly relative. College girls in eyes task performances are significantly better than male students. College male students's Machiavellian beliefs are significantly higher than girls (p=0.069). The higher the Machiavellian beliefs in colledge girls is higher in eyes tasks.Known from college students is that eyes task is only relative to Mach-IV and gender. Researchers applicated Machiavellianism scale and eye tasks to 13 years old to 17 years of middle school students and high school students(the average age 15.28 year, SD =1.34)(Charpter 6). Study found that:with age, theory of mind (represented by eyes task tasks) and Machiavelli beliefs (measured by Machiavellianism Scale) in middle school students and in high school students were gradually developing.16-year-old of male high school students,17-year-old of female students is a special fast and leap time on theory, of mind development(represented by eyes task).16-year-old of male and female high school students is a special fast and leap time on Machiavellianism. 14-year-old of high school male and female students is a most low period on eyes task and Machiavellian beliefs, which is possibly relative to turmoil of puberty.High and middle school girls in theory of mind (represented by theory of mind tasks) were significantly higher than boys. Machiavellian beliefs in high and middle school boys were significantly higher than high and middle school girls.From 16 to 18 years and more than 18 years old (maximum age of students in this study was 25 years old), Machiavellian beliefs, theory of mind (represented by eyes task) development smoothly, no significant age difference(Charpter 7).This study supports this view:Machiavellian beliefs has different effects on young boys and girls theory of mind (represented by eyes task).For young girls, higher Machiavellian beliefs is higher theory of mind(represented by eyes task). The level of Machiavellian beliefs has no significant effect on young boys theory of mind (represented by eyes task).This conclusion still needs further systematic study. Future study will pay attention to improving eyes task,revising Mach-â…£, further systematic researching gender,Machiavellian beliefs and theory of mind.
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