How Theory of Mind Can Improve Social Understanding in Education

“Sarah is 5 years old. Her brother Mark is 16 years old. They went to the beach with their family. While Sarah was building a sandcastle, Mark destroyed it. Sarah started crying. Mark tried to explain that he was kidding, but no way! Sarah did not stop crying. This conflict between Sarah and her brother occurred because of their different beliefs. Sarah strongly believed her brother’s behavior was offensive, and she could never understand that he was kidding. On the other hand, Mark could not feel or know what his sister felt or thought.”

This simple story shows how conflicts happen because of different beliefs and introduces the importance of the theory of mind (TOM) to avoid conflicts.

The theory of mind is a social-cognitive skill developed by Premack and Woodruff in 1978. It is the ability to understand another person’s knowledge, beliefs, desires, emotions, moods, and intentions and to use that understanding to build healthy social relationships.

TOM helps us understand the differences in how people think and feel. It teaches us that others may not see things the way we do. For example, Sarah could not understand that Mark’s intention was playful, not hurtful. Similarly, Mark failed to recognize how deeply Sarah felt about her sandcastle. Developing TOM allows us to see beyond our perspective and connect better with others.

TOM concepts are essential in 21st-century education. Learners should interpret nonverbal language and understand others’ behaviors, actions, and emotions to respond appropriately. This skill is closely tied to empathy—the ability to feel what others feel—which strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

How can we integrate TOM skills into everyday classroom practice?

1. Include empathy questions. Ask questions like, “How does she feel?” “How do you think he reacted?” “How would you feel in this situation?” or “What can you do to help?” These questions help students reflect on feelings and develop sensitivity toward others.
2. Add belief questions. These focus on thoughts and opinions, such as, “Do you agree with this? Why or why not?” or “What do you think will happen next?” Such questions teach respect for others’ opinions and highlight that different beliefs exist.
3. Use role-play and storytelling. These activities encourage students to analyze the characters’ emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. Acting out roles helps students understand perspectives, while discussions after the activity allow them to share their thoughts.
4. Play games involving body language and emotions. Activities that expose students to diverse ideas and cultures promote open-mindedness. Encourage respectful discussion and understanding.
5. Teach cross-cultural understanding. In today’s world, knowing about other cultures and beliefs helps students build stronger friendships and better communication skills.
6. Encourage reflection. When a student gives a wrong answer, ask how they arrived at it. This reflection builds their ability to analyze their thinking.
7. Foster predictions. Have students guess outcomes in reading or listening tasks and check if they were correct. That encourages reasoning and curiosity.
8. Practice solving real-life social problems. Engage students in scenarios where they must think of solutions to everyday challenges.
9. Teach non-verbal language. Introduce feelings, body language, facial expressions, signs, and emojis. Understanding these cues enhances communication.

A well-developed theory of mind positively affects comprehension, critical thinking, and collaboration. Students with strong TOM skills perform better socially and academically. Encouraging students to express and respect emotions and beliefs makes them more empathetic and open-minded.

We live in a country with diverse cultures. Developing TOM skills in our learners ensures they can connect, respect, and thrive in a multicultural world.