title: 2.5-Year-Olds Express Suspense When Others Approach Reality With False Expectations.
abstract: The study investigated if 2.5-year-olds are susceptible to suspense and express tension when others' false expectations are about to be disappointed. In two experiments (N = 32 each), children showed more tension when a protagonist approached a box with a false belief about its content than when she was ignorant. In Experiment 2, children also expressed more tension when the protagonist's belief was false than when it was true. The findings reveal that toddlers affectively anticipate the "rude awakening" of an agent who is about to discover unexpected reality. They thus not only understand false beliefs per se but also grasp the affective implications of being mistaken. The results are discussed with recourse to current theories about early understanding of false beliefs.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, California.
authors.forename: Henrike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, California.
authors.forename: Allie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalulyan
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, California.
authors.forename: Lillie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moffett
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032882:Comprehension / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*