Executive Function and False-Belief Understanding in Preschool Children: Two Tasks Are Harder Than One

Abstract

In this research we examine the relation between executive function (EF) and false-belief (FB) understanding in young children. Specifically, we proposed that performance on tasks combining 2 executive demands: (a) working memory and (b) inhibitory control would be most predictive of performance on FB tasks. Forty-eight children between the ages of 3 and 5 years were given a battery of EF and FB measures. As predicted we found that performance on executive tasks that combined demands for memory and inhibitory control were highly predictive of performance on FB tasks. To further test the relation of EF and FB understanding we also introduced an experimental manipulation designed to reduce the working memory demands of FB tasks. This manipulation did not significantly improve performance. The results from this study provide support for the relation between EF and FB understanding, although the exact nature of the relation requires further clarification.