Adaptive modelling and mindreading

Author(s): Riggs, K. J.

Journal/Book: Mind Lang. 1999; 14: 108 Cowley Rd, Oxford Ox4 1Jf, Oxon, England. Blackwell Publ Ltd. 80-112.

Abstract: This paper sets out to give sufficient detail to the notion of mental simulation to allow an appraisal of its contribution to 'mindreading' in the context of the 'false-belief tasks' used in developmental psychology. We first describe the reasoning strategy of 'modified derivation', which supports counterfactual reasoning. We then give an analysis of the logical structure of the standard false-belief tasks. We then show how modified derivation can be used in a hybrid strategy for mindreading in these tasks. We then formulate the hypothesis that children become able (around the age of 4 years) to pass these tasks when they acquire the counterfactual reasoning ability required in this strategy. We find this to be consistent with various empirical findings. We then discuss the implications for the theory/simulation debate, meta-representation and pretence.

Note: Article Peterson DM, Univ Birmingham, Sch Comp Sci, Cognit Sci Res Ctr, Birmingham B15 2TT, W Midlands, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): FALSE BELIEF; DIFFICULTY; MIND; DECEPTION; CHILDREN; REALITY

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