This research examined characteristics of theory of mind among preschoolers between three and five years old(Western age). The underlying purpose is to determine the relationships between ages, task types, and theory of mind, socioeconomic status and ...
This research examined characteristics of theory of mind among preschoolers between three and five years old(Western age). The underlying purpose is to determine the relationships between ages, task types, and theory of mind, socioeconomic status and theory of mind, and the relationship between social competence as well as emotional intelligence and theory of mind.
Based on research objectives, the research questions are formulated as follows:
1. Are there differences in child's theory of mind according to age?
2. Are there differences in child's theory of mind according to socioeconomic status?
3. Are there differences in child's theory of mind according totasks?
4. Are there relationships between theory of mind and social competence?
5. Are there relationships between theory of mind and emotional intelligence?
The control group consists of 184 preschoolers ranging from three to five years old who were enrolled in five separate kindergartens in cities D and N.
Research measures were based on research instruments used in the following studies. To measure social competence, teachers were given a questionnaire derived from various studies, all of which made use of the instruments developed at ISCS by Pease, et al. (1979).
This study utilized the instrument which was reconstructed and used by Lee, Byung-Nae(1997) to measure emotional intelligence based on the concept model of emotional intelligence presented by Salovey and Mayer (1996). Data was compiled and analyzed through frequency, percentage, means, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA and post-scheffe, Pearson’s correlation and regression.
The results of the study were as follows:
Firstly, theory of mind scores increased according to ascending age. There is a direct association between age variation and theory of mind: the higher the child’s age, the higher the child’s theory-of-mind score. Moreover, at four years old, the children demonstrated a higher success rate on tests related to theory of mind.
Secondly, theory-of-mind scores were varied significantly when influenced by socioeconomic status. Theory-of-mind scores increased according to increased socioeconomic status in the home environment.
Thirdly, there was strikingly a noticeable relationship between social competence and theory of mind. Especially, cooperation and leadership among the subordinate factors of social competence showed a strong correlation with theory of mind.
Fourthly, a positive correlation existed between theory of mind and emotional intelligence. Self-recognition and recognizing others among the subordinate factors of emotional intelligence showed a close correlation with theory of mind.
In conclusion, theory of mind is significantly influenced by developmental gaps in age and socioeconomic status in the home environment. Theory of mind develops in a context of social competence and emotional intelligence.
Theory of mind is a very important cognitive competence that preschoolers should obtain through social relationships in order to maintain a good interpersonal relationships. Based on the results and proposals of this study, continuing research and studies are needed. This study concludes by identifying areas for future research based on the results obtained herein.