theory of mind
the understanding that others have intentions, desires, beliefs, perceptions, and emotions different from one’s own and that such intentions, desires, and so forth affect people’s actions and behaviors. Children show the rudiments of theory of mind as toddlers, have a limited understanding of the relation between belief and action by age 3, and can begin to infer false beliefs in others by around age 4 (see false-belief task). There has been considerable controversy about whether nonhuman animals have this ability. See also belief–desire reasoning; mindblindness.