Theories of Mind

Theories of mind refer to the various mental states that one may attribute to others. The more general term, theory of mind (ToM), is often used to refer to one's ability to attribute mental states to oneself as well as others. ToM is arguably one of the most important abilities that humans possess. In their definition of ToM, described how an individual is able to theorize about how another individual thinks, believes, and understands the world. Consequently, ToM is important in enabling one to understand others’ intentions and beliefs, to explain current behaviors, and to predict future behaviors. Keywords: cognitive development; Bruner, Jerome; Luria, Alexander; Vygotsky, Leo; Piaget, Jean