Examining theory-of-mind tasks with Japanese children: The Wellman and Liu tasks

The present study uses Wellman & Liu's (2004) scale, which includes multiple concepts, to achieve the following main goals : (1) to examine whether Japanese children show a delay in theory-of-mind understanding (This is based on a study concerning false-belief tasks.); (2) to confirm whether Japanese children's theories of mind develop step by step, as is the case with Western children; and (3) to investigate the development of Japanese children's theories of mind in greater detail by analyzing the explanations of those who fail the tasks. Participants in the study, 120 three- to 6-year-old children of both genders, were tested individually on the Wellman & Liu scale; their answers were taped for analysis. The results suggested that although Japanese children develop their theories of mind step by step, they show a delay in theory-of-mind understanding, as is pointed out in the study of the false-belief tasks. Approximately 30% of the 4- and 5-year-old children did not understand the tasks concerning belief.