一项关于毕生心理理论的纵向研究。
A longitudinal study of theory of mind across the lifespan.
作者信息
Erceg Hanna G, Dhillon Ruby S, Derksen Daniel G, Mah Eric Y, Bernstein Daniel M
机构信息
Department of Psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada.
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
出版信息
Front Psychol. 2025 Jul 17;16:1549378. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1549378. eCollection 2025.
INTRODUCTION
Theory of Mind (ToM) is essential for social interactions. However, gaps remain in our knowledge of when ToM abilities develop and change, particularly from adolescence to older adulthood.
METHODS
We used data from an ongoing longitudinal study to examine ToM abilities across three time points in participants aged 3 years and older. Testing waves occurred over multiple years. Cognitive ToM was assessed using the Sandbox task ( = 187; age range = 3-80 years), and affective ToM was assessed using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RMET; = 121; age range = 6-80 years). Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs to examine interactions between Age Group and Time Point.
RESULTS
Children aged 6-9 years exhibited significantly lower ToM abilities compared to adults. However, beyond childhood, both cognitive and affective ToM remained relatively stable across the lifespan.
DISCUSSION
Our study illuminates critical periods of ToM development. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of using measures that capture subtle changes across the lifespan.
引言
心理理论（ToM）对于社交互动至关重要。然而，在我们对ToM能力何时发展和变化的认识上仍存在差距，尤其是从青春期到老年期。
方法
我们使用了一项正在进行的纵向研究的数据，以考察3岁及以上参与者在三个时间点的ToM能力。测试阶段跨越数年。使用沙盒任务评估认知ToM（n = 187；年龄范围 = 3 - 80岁），使用眼睛解读心智任务（RMET；n = 121；年龄范围 = 6 - 80岁）评估情感ToM。使用混合设计方差分析来分析数据，以考察年龄组和时间点之间的相互作用。
结果
6 - 9岁的儿童与成年人相比，表现出显著更低的ToM能力。然而，童年之后，认知和情感ToM在整个生命周期中都保持相对稳定。
讨论
我们的研究阐明了ToM发展的关键时期。此外，我们的研究强调了使用能够捕捉整个生命周期细微变化的测量方法的重要性。
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