APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
Explicit and Implicit Theory of Mind Are Driven By Different Predictors In Early Childhood
- Julia Houdayer
Laboratoire de Psychologie du Développement et de l'Education de l'enfant - Lorna Le Stanc
Paris Cité University, CNRS - Lara Bardi
Ghent University - Grégoire Borst
Paris Cité University, CNRS
Abstract
We followed 354 children aged 3–7 in a longitudinal design to examine predictors of implicit and explicit Theory of Mind (ToM). Language, executive functions and socioeconomic status predicted explicit ToM while only language predicted second-order reasoning. None of these predictors were related to implicit ToM, indicating distinct developmental pathways.
