Association between theory of mind and peer problems

Abstract

According to research in different cultures, there is cultural variation in the development of theory of mind, also there is a developmental lag in non-western cultures, including Pakistan. Previous research suggests that performance of over 5-year-old children is at chance on theory of mind tasks and whether there is any implication of this developmental lag in Pakistani children is unknown. In this study we investigated; the age when theory of mind develops in Pakistani children, relationship between ToM and peer problems, relationship between theory of mind and number of siblings and parent's education. A sample of 80 children was recruited, aged 4, 5 and 6-year-old, who took two false belief tasks. To tap into peer relationship of these children, their parents completed strength and difficulty questionnaire. According to the results, performance of 6 years 6 months and older was above chance on all false belief tasks. Also, theory of mind negatively predicted peer relationship problems of this sample, revealing real life implication of theory of mind understanding in social world. Difference in development of theory of mind is discussed with reference to social and individual factors, for example, parent's education, income group, number of siblings, and language ability.