Behavioral and Brain Sciences



Open Peer Commentary

A case of stunted development? Existential reasoning is contingent on a developing theory of mind


E. Margaret Evans a1 and Henry M. Wellman a1
a1 Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0406. evansem@umich.edu http://www.umich.edu/~evansem/ hmw@umich.edu http://www.umich.edu/~chgd www/faculty/wellman.html

Article author query
evans em   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
wellman hm   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

Missing from Bering's account of the evolutionary origins of existential reasoning is an explicit developmental framework, one that takes into account community input. If Bering's selectionist explanation was on target then one might predict a unique and relatively robust developmental trajectory, regardless of input. Evidence suggests instead that children's existential reasoning is contingent on their developing theory of mind.