Scaling Theory of Mind in a Small‐Scale Society: A Case Study From Vanuatu

Abstract

Although theory of mind (ToM) is argued to emerge between 3 and 5 years of age, data from non-Western, small-scale societies suggest diversity. Deeper investigations into these settings are warranted. In the current study, over 400 Melanesian children from Vanuatu (range = 3-14 years), growing up in either urban or rural remote environments, completed culturally tailored ToM batteries. Results show a marked delay in false belief (FB) performance, particularly among participants from rural villages. By further investigating a diverse range of concepts beyond FB, we illustrate two unique cultural sequences for a suite of mental state concepts among urban and rural ni-Vanuatu children. Implications for social and cultural influences on the development of ToM are discussed.

Action-based versus cognitivist perspectives on socio-cognitive development: culture, language and social experience within the two paradigms

“…The same progression difference was found for Iranian children (Shahaeian et al 2011), and a completely novel one in Vanuatu (Dixson et al 2017). In fact, Dixson et al (2017) established great differences in the sequence between different social groups within one culture, suggesting that even relatively small differences 2 A disambiguation of the terms folk psychology and theory of mind is due here. Folk psychology is a common-sense conceptual framework (a theory) that people in a given culture explicitly deploy when explaining, predicting, or manipulating the behavior of other people and higher animals (Churchland 1998, p. 3).…”

“…Chinese and American children take different trajectories in ToM scale progression (ToM scale is a set of tests designed by Wellman et al for more fine-grained measurement of ToM than the single FBT can provide) (Wellman et al 2011). The same progression difference was found for Iranian children (Shahaeian et al 2011), and a completely novel one in Vanuatu (Dixson et al 2017). In fact, Dixson et al (2017) established great differences in the sequence between different social groups within one culture, suggesting that even relatively small differences 2 A disambiguation of the terms folk psychology and theory of mind is due here.…”

“…Children from Samoa pass the false belief test at around eight, as opposed to the age of four in the West (Mayer and Träuble 2012). Another Pacific culture-Vanuatu-is similar in this respect (Dixson et al 2017). Chinese and American children take different trajectories in ToM scale progression (ToM scale is a set of tests designed by Wellman et al for more fine-grained measurement of ToM than the single FBT can provide) (Wellman et al 2011).…”

Mind and Spirit: a comparative theory about representation of mind and the experience of spirit

“…In the Pacific, children master the false belief task at an older age than their Western counterparts (Wassman, Träuble & Funke 2013). Those same Pacific children, however, find it easier than Western children to understand hidden emotions (the man doesn't like the gift, but does not want to show his disappointment) (Dixson, Komugabe‐Dixson, Dixson & Low 2018; see also Harris & Tang 2018).…”

The Minds of God(s) and Humans: Differences in Mind Perception in Fiji and North America

“…Opacity beliefs do seem to have an impact on how people in these societies reason about minds. Developmental research has found that in societies with Opacity of Mind, children pass the false belief task at older ages than non-Opacity countries (Callaghan et al, 2005;Dixson, Komugabe-Dixson, Dixson, & Low, 2017;Knight et al, 2004;Mayer & Trauble, 2012). These beliefs also impact moral reasoning.…”