| The research of children'theory of mind has become a focus of developmental psychology nearly two decades. "Theory of Mind" does not simply mean a general scientific theory, but refers to the capability that individual could understand others'mental state by certain knowledge systems and predict and explain other's behaviors accordingly. Theory of mind is an effective social cognitive tool. It enables children to adapt to the social environment more effectively. It is the basic substance of individual as to exist in society. As foundation of children's social cognitive, the cultural factor of ToM is an important variable. Therefore, we need to do an amount of cross-cultural research to draw general conclusions.Moreover, classic studies are focused on three to five years old child's psychological development of theory of mind, but not for there is a qualitative leap or significant change in four years old, there is no change after four years old. Kuhn(2000) clearly claimed that we should hang the research of theory of mind and the study of cognition together, and suggested the view of the theory of mind in all life.Therefore, the research focuses on the development of theory of mind from seven to nine years old, extends the scope of age, and supplies a valid proof for the view of theory of mind in all life. At the same time, the thesis use social and cultural structure theory as its theory foundation. This thesis adopted second-order false belief (FB) tasks and faux pas tasks for cross-cultural research. The experiment examined 191 children of 7-9 years old was done. These children came from China and Germany, it studied and compared the development of theory of mind, in order to have the fact of the development of theory of mind in different cultures, and verify, enrich and innovate children's theory of mind. It can supply the psychological basis and experimental support in promoting the development of theory of mind. Through further analysis, we have the following conclusions:(1) There are striking differences about ToM development between Chinese and Germany children aged 7-9 years old;(2) Age is the main factor of children'ToM, Chinese and Germany children'ToM enhanced along with the age growth, and 8 years old is the turning point. There is no difference between genders.(3) The level of second-order FB tasks is higher than faux pas tasks in 7-9 years old. (4) At the development speed of ToM, the Chinese children are slower than the German children.(5) In the faux pas tasks, understanding intention is more difficult than understanding belief and emotion. And 8 years is the turning point.By a large amount of literature consult and analysis, the author suggests that the cultural difference is the important factor for the different development of ToM between Chinese children and German children. And difference of education system also is an important factor. In addition, the relation of parents and children, the pretending game, the way of breeding affect development of ToM between Chinese and German children.In the view of the above reasons, the author proposes that we should strongly encourage mix-age education and improve the level of the development of ToM. We should attach importance to experience education, guide children to experience other people's mentality, develop pretending game, and fully exploit children's potential ability of ToM; Good family atmosphere is the important assurance to develop children's ToM. |
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