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# Conflicting Emotions: The connection between affective perspective taking and theory of mind

## Details

**Authors** Harwood and Farrar

**Year** 2006

**Publisher** The British Journal of Developmental Psychology

**Discipline** Human Development

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1348/026151005X50302) 
10.1348/026151005X50302

## In authors' words

### Abstract

The relation between theory of mind and affective perspective taking was examined in a study with 42 three‐ to five‐year‐olds. Children completed tasks measuring affective perspective taking, theory of mind, and receptive language abilities. Significant positive correlations existed between overall affective perspective taking and theory of mind performance, independent of age and language. The relation between theory of mind and affective perspective taking was strongest for those scenarios in which there was a conflict between the child and the friend's emotional responses. These findings indicate that the abilities to understand conflicting emotions and to understand false beliefs are related aspects of social development.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To explore the relationship between Perspective taking and theory of mind.

### What they found (results)

They found a positive correlation between theory of mind skills and affective perspective taking skills, and the correlation was the strongest in the scenarios in which emotional conflict was involved. They indicated that having the ability to take another’s Perspective is key to the development of empathy.

## Commentary

### In short

This indicates that both perspective and theory of mind can be taught and influenced in social systems and development. The article states that the biggest link between the two concepts is that they both require the child to understand different or conflicting Perspectives.

### In more detail

The relationship between Perspective taking and theory of mind is one area that has been examined a lot. Harwood and Farrar, 2006 examined this relationship in 42 three to five year olds. In their experiment, each child performed three tasks, one to test affective perspective taking ability, one to test theory of mind understanding, and the last to test language development. They found a positive correlation between theory of mind skills and affective perspective taking skills, and the correlation was the strongest in the scenarios in which emotional conflict was involved. They indicated that having the ability to take another’s Perspective is key to the development of empathy. This indicates that both perspective and theory of mind can be taught and influenced in social systems and development. The article states that the biggest link between the two concepts is that they both require the child to understand different or conflicting Perspectives.

**Patterns it shows** P

**How to cite this** Harwood and Farrar (2006). Conflicting Emotions: The connection between affective perspective taking and theory of mind. The British Journal of Developmental Psychology.