The Predictive Relations between Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind from 3 to 5 Years of Age

Abstract

Abstract: This longitudinal study examined the concurrent and predictive relations between executive functioning(EF) and theory of mind(ToM). Data were obtained from 155 children who were 3 and 4 years of age at Time 1 and one year older at Time 2. The results showed that both the 3 and 4 years of age children had higher EF and ToM scores at Time 2 than at Time 1. Individual differences in EF and ToM were relatively stable. The concurrent relation between EF and ToM was significant at 3 and 4 years of age but no at 5 years of age. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the EF at age 3 significantly predicted ToM at age 4 but EF at age 4 did not predict ToM at age 5, over and above the effects of age, maternal education, verbal ability, and prior performance on ToM tasks. However, a reciprocal relation was nonsignificant with the controls included. The findings provide partial support for the view that EF is a prerequisite for ToM.

Key words: preschoolers, executive functioning, theory of mind.

摘要： 采用追踪研究设计,探讨儿童3至5岁成长过程中,执行功能与心理理论发展间的预测关系。以155名3岁、4岁儿童为被试,采用经典实验任务对儿童的执行功能和心理理论进行间隔1年的追踪测查,并运用分层回归分析检验了二者间的预测关系。结果发现：儿童执行功能、心理理论在3至5岁期间均有显著的发展,且在此期间执行功能、心理理论的个体差异相对稳定;儿童在3岁、4岁时执行功能与心理理论呈显著正相关,但在5岁时二者间相关不显著;儿童3岁时的执行功能能够显著预测3至4岁期间心理理论的发展,而4岁时的执行功能不能预测4至5岁期间心理理论的发展;3至5岁期间,心理理论对执行功能发展始终不具有预测作用。

关键词: 幼儿, 执行功能, 心理理论。

Guo Xiaolin, Ren Ping, Ma Fengling, Xu Fen. The Predictive Relations between Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind from 3 to 5 Years of Age[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2016, 14(1): 70-79.

郭筱琳，任萍，马凤玲，徐芬. 幼儿执行功能的发展对心理理论发展的影响^*[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2016, 14(1): 70-79.

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