The Social Brain

Abstract

This chapter examines how children’s theory of mind springs from their social brains. Neuroscience shows that adults have a theory-of-mind neural network. Children’s developing theory of mind uses some of the same neural regions that are used by adults. But, it also shows considerable neural change over time. Theory of mind is a deeply developmental achievement, driven by experience and learning. Because the brain is plastic, that experience and learning also shape the structure and functioning of the brain. We experience and learn new things, and the brain changes in response. Indeed, theory-of-mind understandings and theory-of-mind brain activations change throughout childhood, together, step by step. There is no simple brain-tells-all story. Mind reading is learned; the social brain is a product of learning as well.