Theory of Mind (ToM)

is the ability to attribute mental states to ourselves and others, serving as one of the foundational elements for social interaction

One study found that children typically progress through five different theory of mind abilities in a sequential, standard order. These tasks, from easiest to most difficult, are:

the understanding that the reasons why people might want something (i.e. desires) may differ from one person to the next
the understanding that people can have different beliefs about the same thing or situation
the understanding that people may not comprehend or have the knowledge that something is true
the understanding that people can hold false beliefs about the world
the understanding that people can have hidden emotions, or that they may act one way while feeling another way