Theory of Mind and social cognition

Abstract

The paradigms comparison of Theory of Mind and social cognition is provided in the article. The provision on possibility of consideration of theory of mind as the mental mechanism of social cognition is reasoned. The comparison of two approaches shows the similarity and the distinction in the interpretation of social interactions and in the organization of researches. The example of the last research of communicative efficiency by children of preschool age is given, which shows a close associativity of this process and the development of theory of mind by both communicants. By the considering of Theory of Mind as the mental mechanism of understanding it is shown that the subjectivity of communication is characterized already for children aged four. The children of six show the big abilities of the accounting of the self-subjectivity and subjectivity of the recipient that is connected with development of higher level of understanding of mental states. In the conclusion it is said about the new opportunities of interpretation of social cognition within a paradigm of Theory of Mind.