Abstract
This exploratory study aims to explore how theory of mind (ToM) of children of Zhuang (the largest ethnic minority in China) is acquired and refined. The sample included 83 Zhuang Chinese (Mage = 4.52 yrs, SD = 0.86 yrs, 40 boys) and 136 Han Chinese (Mage = 4.38 yrs, SD = 0.82 yrs, 62 boys) preschool children. The current study revealed that both ethnic groups fitted the Western, individualist ToM acquisition pattern, in contrast to previous studies conducted in other cities in China revealed that Chinese children fitted the Asian, collectivistic ToM acquisition pattern. Moreover, our data showed that there was no difference in executive function and ToM link between two ethnic groups. Specifically, children's age, receptive language, working memory, and inhibitory control skills were positive predictors for two groups of children's ToM performance. By analyzing variances within a developing country that has been undergoing rapid social changes since the 1980s, these findings help to provide a more comprehensive socio-cultural understanding of mental states. They also emphasize the value of exposing children to multi-ethnic societies that might provide children with more opportunities to perceive, think, and reason about other ethnic groups' mental states.
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Please address all correspondence to: Xiao-Hui Hou, houxh@nnnu.edu.cn.
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This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31760284).
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Highlights
• This exploratory study aims to investigate the sequence of theory of mind (ToM) acquisition and the relation between executive function (EF) and ToM in Zhuang Children.
• Both Zhuang and Han children fitted the Western, individualist ToM acquisition pattern, in contrast to previous studies conducted in other cities in China revealed that Chinese children fitted the Asian, collectivistic ToM acquisition pattern.
• There were no differences in the EF and ToM association between two ethnic groups. Specifically, children's age, receptive language, working memory, and inhibitory control skills were positive predictors for two groups of children's ToM performance.
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Hou, XH., Liu, Y., Li, Y. et al. Sequence of theory of mind acquisition in ethnic minority children in China: A comparison of Zhuang and Han samples. Curr Psychol 42, 28833–28845 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03945-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03945-8