Beliefs About Thought Probability: Evidence for Persistent Errors in Mindreading and Links to Executive Control |
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| Authors: | Kristin Hansen Lagattuta Liat Sayfan Christina Harvey |
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| Institution: | University of California, , Davis |
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| Abstract: | Four‐ to 10‐year‐olds' and adults' (N = 263) ability to inhibit privileged knowledge and simulate a naïve perspective were examined. Participants viewed pictures that were then occluded aside from a small ambiguous part. They offered suggestions for how a naïve person might interpret the hidden pictures, as well as rated the probability that a naïve person would think of several different pictures (with one picture being the actual item). Results indicated a significant increase between ages 4 and 7 years in attributing novel interpretations; however, all age groups overestimated the probability that a naïve person could guess the actual pictures. Individual differences in working memory and inhibitory control predicted participants' thought suggestions as well as aspects of their probability judgments. |
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