Theory-of-mind development influences suggestibility and source monitoring.
According to the mental-state reasoning model of suggestibility, 2 components of theory of mind mediate reductions in suggestibility across the preschool years. The authors examined whether theory-of-mind performance may be legitimately separated into 2 components and explored the memory processes underlying the associations between theory of mind and suggestibility, independent of verbal ability. Children 3 to 6 years old completed 6 theory-of-mind tasks and a postevent misinformation procedure. Contrary to the model's prediction, a single latent theory-of-mind factor emerged, suggesting a single-component rather than a dual-component conceptualization of theory-of-mind performance. This factor provided statistical justification for computing a single composite theory-of-mind score. Improvements in theory of mind predicted reductions in suggestibility, independent of verbal ability (Study 1, n = 72). Furthermore, once attribution biases were controlled (Study 2, n = 45), there was also a positive relationship between theory of mind and source memory, but not recognition performance. The findings suggest a substantial, and possibly causal, association between theory-of-mind development and resistance to suggestion, driven specifically by improvements in source monitoring.
Bright-Paul
Alexandra
A
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. a.m.bright-paul@bristol.ac.uk
Jarrold
Christopher
C
Wright
Daniel B
DB
D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013404:Suggestion; D014796:Visual Perception