ABSTRACT
Theory of mind (ToM) has been one of the most investigated topics in developmental psychology since the publication of the first child developmental study on the issue, and deservedly so. This chapter examines the evolution of human social cognitive abilities, particularly ToM, looking at hypotheses and evidence suggesting that, although related species possess substantial social cognitive prowess. ToM, as reflected in the thinking of most 5-year-old children, is a species-unique capacity. Evolutionary psychology has emerged as a cohesive and unique approach to the study of evolved species-typical psychological characteristics, as well as, more recently, to processes associated with human ontogeny. ToM is the ability to attribute mental states to both oneself and to others. These mental states can include, but are certainly not limited to, beliefs, desires, volitions, and feelings. A relationship between ToM and domain-general abilities, such as inhibition or EF more specifically, is found in contemporary children.
