Theory of Mind (ToM)

Theory of Mind: AI image

Theory of Mind: The ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and beliefs different from your own (Sutton, 2025, December 2).

Theory of Mind (ToM) was first articulated in psychology journals such as Mind in the late 19th century, where James Mark Baldwin described the ejective-self, an early formulation of the ability to infer others’ mental states from one’s own experience (Obiols & Berrios, 2009). 

This foundational perspective defined ToM as the capacity to attribute beliefs, desires, and emotions to oneself and others, recognizing that these mental states may differ from reality. More recently, ToM has been reconceptualized as a multidimensional construct, encompassing both cognitive components (reasoning about beliefs and intentions) and affective components (understanding emotions). Longitudinal research demonstrates that while ToM develops rapidly in childhood, it remains relatively stable across adulthood, with subtle declines in older age (Erceg, Dhillon, Derksen, Mah, & Bernstein, 2025). This modification underscores ToM as a dynamic, lifespan-oriented capacity rather than a skill confined to early development Sutton, 2025, December 2).

Cite this post

Sutton, G. W. (2025, December 2). Theory of mind (ToM). Psychology Concepts and Theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2025/12/theory-of-mind-tom.html

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Obiols, J. E., & Berrios, G. E. (2009). The historical roots of Theory of Mind: The work of James Mark Baldwin. History of Psychiatry, 20(3), 377–392. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957154X08337334

Erceg, H. G., Dhillon, R. S., Derksen, D. G., Mah, E. Y., & Bernstein, D. M. (2025). A longitudinal study of theory of mind across the lifespan. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1549378. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1549378

Post Author

Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. 

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