The sequence of acquisition for theory of mind concepts: The combined effect of both cultural and environmental factors

Abstract

Cross-cultural studies that have examined the sequence of acquisition for theory of mind (ToM) concepts using Wellman and Liu’s (2004) developmental scale have identified two different sequences; two hypotheses have been proposed for explaining these differences: the general culture hypothesis and the environmental factors hypothesis. However, these hypotheses have not been directly tested. The aim of this study was to examine these two hypotheses directly and to test the sequence of acquisition for ToM concepts in a minority society, specifically, among Israeli Arabic children (N = 260) using Wellman and Liu’s ToM scale. Cultural values were assessed via maternal reports. The results showed a novel sequence as well as supporting evidence for the impact of both the general culture and the environmental factors hypotheses.