Theory Of Mind

Psychology, due to its complexity can be approached in a variety of ways. To help us understand the human mind, behaviourist and psychodynamic approaches have helped us understand the alternative outlooks in the science of mind and behaviour. Both approaches can be examined by the means of theoretical assumptions and methodology.

What is a theory? Well, a theory is an assumption or accepted facts that provides logical and rational explanation to a cause and effect relationships among a group being observed (Theory). In other words, a reason or thought that someone has created a response to a topic but, it can’t be proven or disprove. Included in this paper is a discussion about three theorist Piaget, Vygotsky, and Kohlberg along with their beliefs. I have chosen my brother Isaiah Thomas to compare and contrast the theories of the known theorist. The theories I chose to talk about are cognitive theory stages of development by Piaget, sociocultural theory by Vygotsky, and the stages of moral development by Kohlberg.

Psychology is the scientific “study of the mind” (Gross, 2015) and behavior, which includes the study of humans and animals. There are various approaches in modern psychology. A theoretical approach is a perspective (view) about human behavior, there may be several different theories within an approach, but they all share these common assumptions and principles. (McLeod, 2007). A theory is an attempt by theorists to try to explain behavior. Theories are not facts but can be verified by testing. Theories can then be evaluated which I aim to do through this essay, where I will briefly explain the theoretical approaches in psychology and aim to focus on an analysis for each perspective which consist of the psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive and behavioral approaches where I will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each approach separately.

Social cognitive theory was developed by Albert Bandura (1986, 2012) and other psychologists. Social cognitive theory traditionally focuses more on learning by observation and on the cognitive processes that underlie personalities (Rathus, 2015). Additionally, social cognitive theorists see people influencing their environment as much as it influences them (Rathus, 2015). They also affirm that “variables” within people are to be considered to understand them. These can include knowledge and skills, ways of interpreting experiences, and systems and plans (Bandura, 2012). This theory focuses mainly on variables and observational learning of human behavior. Furthermore, this theory was placed third on the spectrum because of its relevance to both nature, and nurture perspectives.

For researchers who interested in studying some idea or concept, the demographic characteristic is one of the factors that researchers have to consider carefully. Participants are the main object of every experiment. To make participants feel confident, safe, and agree to do the researchers’ favors, there are certain things that have to be think of, especially the demographic characteristic (example: race, gender, ethnicity, or culture).

Dunn and Brown (1993) observed children in naturalistic settings, largely supportive of laboratory findings and suggest that children use internal states to understand social situations. These studies, therefore suggest theory of mind is an adaptive function for enhancing social relationships.

Actions may be influenced by many different things. Many times, Society and the opinions of others are greatly influential. Other times, internal motivations are the guiding force. This fight between external and internal motivation is explored by Jane Austen in her novel Persuasion. She uses theory of mind and free indirect discourse to argue that internal motivations are better guides than persuasion from society, family, or any other outside force.

A sample of children from age 2 to 4 were collected and were asked for their age, language ability, family size and false belief. Researchers reached children’s parents and teacher and asked them to fill out a survey to collect data on child’s family information and language ability. Each child was seen in nursery school, their age was recorded followed by giving them a theory of mind related tasks. Both Jenkins & Astington (1996) and Cutting & Dunn (1999) found an identical conclusions; the more understandings and emotions there are created through larger family interaction, the more there is to child’s ability to predict false belief understanding. Wright & Mahfoud (2012) has furthermore stated that personal relatedness with people causes children to realize that it derives them with social benefits from using the mechanism of theory of mind. Despite the conclusion Jenkins & Astington (1996), Cutting & Dunn (1999) and Wright & Mahfoud (2012) have made, Jean-Louis, (1998) disputed that although children with high language ability brings positive cognitive effects, children with greater linguistic awareness could also show recognition in theory of mind; concluding with a notion that impact on bilingualism related to theory of mind development still lies as a question. A sheer number of studies have found similar

What most people called God, Holmes referred to as Mind to focus on the intelligence of It, the creativity and self-awareness of It, the spirit of It all. Most of the other good names for the infinite deity had already been taken and defined differently by each group who used them. Holmes wished to refer to God in a way that would not carry forward unintended and ill-defined connotations.

Furthermore, the main results showed that Theory of Mind in Alzheimer Disease deficit is characterized not only by difficulties inferring someone’s belief about reality, which has already been shown in previous studies but also by difficulties attributing knowledge to a person who takes part in a dialogue or

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 110 American children. Children with autism have poor communication throughout brain regions, which hinders them from understanding another person’s viewpoint, ultimately resulting in an impaired theory of mind. Theory of mind is a person’s ability to interpret other’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which is extremely difficult for children with autism. Though autistic children lack social and communication skills, some are actually “high-functioning,” meaning they have high intelligence and are usually exceptionally skilled in certain areas. On the other hand, those with “low-functioning” autism typically

Many individuals believe that the mind is uniquely theirs, yet they fail to distinguish between the ideas of ownership and privacy of the mind. Ownership, as property, and privacy are two separate concepts in relation to the mind and mind reading. Privacy refers to the moral rights and ability to give consent, whereas ownership I will define as obtaining and maintaining control over a given thing. For the purpose of this paper, I will define the mind in terms of memory and storage of knowledge. Taking Clark and Chalmers’ Extended Mind Hypothesis and Jesper Ryberg’s claim for privacy of the mind, this paper will explore the relationship of privacy and ownership of the mind by looking at it through multiple lenses.

This week’s articles involved multiple discussions about infants and their cognitive understandings. Ideas regarding social development and theory of mind were explored thoroughly. An emphasis was placed on understanding and identifying how these concepts begin development in humans as infants and progress through adulthood.

“Clear thinking, health, happiness, friendships, and prosperity are all important and worthy. They are steps on the stairway up which man climbs in his ascent in spiritual realization.”

The Science of Mind philosophy is not an abstract spiritual theory, but rather, a study of Consciousness, and, specifically, our expression of It. Ernest Holmes considered this study of Mind to be a science, in that it correlates principles and practices that can be applied and proven to be effective. Even so, the correlation of principles and practices is not what makes the Science of Mind a practical philosophy to live by. Anyone can deduce principles and devise practices that enhance and advance their favorite theory of everything. Every religiously minded group has done just that. Science of Mind distinguishes itself as a practical philosophy because of its teachings on the nature of Law, and its emphasis on the application of the principles of this Law in our life.