False Belief Task: Understanding Theory of Mind

What is the false belief task and what does it reveal about theory of mind?

When do children typically reach milestones related to the false belief task?

Answer:

The false belief task is a test in developmental psychology that demonstrates a child's understanding of theory of mind, i.e., the realization that others might hold beliefs different from their own. This concept aligns with philosophers' ideas of justified true belief and false premises. Children usually pass this task around the ages of 3-4, marking a significant cognitive milestone.

The false belief task is a test used in developmental psychology to illustrate a child's understanding of the fact that others have different beliefs, knowledge and perspectives, this is known as the theory of mind. Developed by Baron-Cohen, Leslie, and Frith, an example of the experiment might involve two puppets, Sally and Anne, where Sally places an object in one location (e.g. in a basket) and then leaves the room. While she's gone, Anne moves the object to a new location (e.g. in a box). The participants are asked where Sally will look for the object when she returns. Children generally develop the ability to answer correctly, understanding that Sally holds a false belief, at around 3-4 years of age.

In relation to the concept of justified true belief and false premises (based on Dharmakīrti's, Russell's, and Harman's theories), the child's reasoning process in the task cannot pass through these 'false' steps - in other words, Sally's belief is not connected to reality, because the child witnessing Anne's action believes Sally should know the new location of the object, which contrasts to the actual state of affairs (Sally's ignorance). The inception of theory of mind and the ability to pass the false belief task is pivotal in a child's cognitive development, showing an important milestone in their social cognition. Having a theory of mind allows them to understand that their belief about the world is not the same as everyone else's, and it could be false sometimes.