Why the Theory of Mind Is Important for Social Relationships

1. The understanding that the reasons why people might want something may differ from one person to the next.
2. The understanding that people can have different beliefs about the same thing or situation.
3. The understanding that people may not comprehend or have the knowledge that something is true.
4. The understanding that people can hold false beliefs about the world.
5. The understanding that people can have hidden emotions, or that they may act one way while feeling another way.

Theory of mind skills tend to improve progressively and sequentially with age.

Theory of mind develops as children gain greater experience with social interactions, by playing, pretending, stories, and relationships with parents.