Processing Based Assessment of Language and its Relation to Theory of Mind in Preschoolers
Open Access
Author:
Lamb, Margaret Anne
Area of Honors:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Ingrid Maria Blood, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
theory of mind bilingual executive function
Abstract:
Research suggests that bilinguals have advanced executive function and theory of mind skills (Bialystok, 2008; Bialysok, Barac & Poulin-Dubois, 2010; Carlson & Meltzoff, 2008; Goetz, 2003). This study examines associations among processing-based language, knowledge-based language, executive function, and theory of mind in 18 Mandarin-Cantonese bilingual preschoolers. The research questions were: Do high executive function scores correlate with high theory of mind in bilingual children? Are processing-based language measures more predictive of theory of mind abilities than knowledge-based measures? Theory of mind was most strongly related to fast mapping (processing based) and Mandarin grammar (knowledge based). Findings suggest that language experience may play an important role in theory of mind development for bilinguals.
