Is thinking about the future related to theory of mind and executive function? Not in preschoolers

Laura K Hanson; Cristina M Atance; Sarah W Paluck

doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2014.07.006

Is thinking about the future related to theory of mind and executive function? Not in preschoolers

J Exp Child Psychol. 2014 Dec:128:120-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2014.07.006. Epub 2014 Aug 27.

Authors

Laura K Hanson¹, Cristina M Atance², Sarah W Paluck¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
² School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: atance@uottawa.ca.

PMID: 25170824
DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2014.07.006

Abstract

The capacity to mentally project the self into the future, or what has been termed "episodic foresight" (EpF), is becoming a popular topic of study in developmental psychology. Several theories propose that EpF is related to theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF). However, these links have not been tested using standard behavioral tasks in young children. Accordingly, we administered a battery of EpF, ToM, and EF tasks to 90 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. After controlling for age and language ability, the EpF tasks were not intercorrelated, nor were they individually related to EF or ToM. As such, this study challenges the claim that EpF, at least as currently assessed in young children, is related to their developing ToM and EF abilities.

Keywords: Development; Executive function; Future thinking; Preschoolers; Theory of mind.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Age Factors
Child Development
Child, Preschool
Executive Function*
Female
Forecasting
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term
Neuropsychological Tests
Psychology, Child*
Theory of Mind*
Thinking*