The Mind-Mindedness: Is It a Construct that Shapes Theory of Mind?

Öz

Mind-mindedness refers to the caregivers’ ability to be sensitive to the cognitive and emotional states of their children. It may also pertain to the extent to which caregivers are able to accurately perceive the behavior of their infants and children. Mind-mindedness is operationalized through the assessment of remarks made by individuals regarding the behavior of infants, distinguishing between those that are pertinent and those that are not. In that context, infants’ comprehension, and engagement with their environment through their caregivers is the basis for their cognitive development. It is widely reported that the mind-mindedness of caregivers, especially of mothers is positively correlated with children’s cognitive abilities such as linguistic abilities, symbolic play, executive functions, and/or theory of mind. In this review paper, it is aimed to provide a summary of the definition and the measurement of mind-mindedness within the scope of recent studies focusing theory of mind and cognitive development of children. Since the concept has not been examined vastly in diverse cultural contexts yet, and it is not as popular as it should be among the social scientists and practitioners, it is vital to be aware of this relatively new construct.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mind-Mindedness
• Theory of Mind
• Mothers
• Infancy
• Cognitive Development

Zihin Yönelimliliği: Zihin Kuramını Şekillendiren Bir Kavram mıdır?

Öz

Zihin-yönelimliliği, annelerin çocuklarının bilişsel ve duygusal durumlarına duyarlı ve ilgili tepki verme becerilerini ifade eden ve annelerin bebeklerinin davranışlarını doğru bir şekilde algılayabilme derecesiyle de ilişkili olan bir kavramdır. Yetişkinlerin, bebeklerin davranışlarıyla ilgili yaptıkları yorumların değerlendirilmesi yoluyla tanımlanan zihin yönelimliliği, gerçekten bebekle ilgili ve yerinde olan çıkarımlar ile ilişkili olmayanlar üzerinden değerlendirilir. Bu bağlam içerisinde, bebeklerin anneleri aracılığıyla çevreleriyle anlam ve etkileşim kurmaları, bilişsel gelişimlerinin temelini oluşturmaktadır. Annelerin zihin-yönelimliliğinin, çocukların zihin kuramı, yönetici zihinsel işlevler, sembolik oyun ve/veya dil becerileri gibi bilişsel yetenekleriyle pozitif yönlü ilişkili olduğu yapılan araştırmalar kapsamında raporlanmıştır. Bu derleme makalesinde, son yıllarda yapılan zihin kuramına ve bebeklerin bilişsel gelişim özelliklerine odaklanan çalışmalar incelenerek, zihin-yönelimliliğinin tanımı ve ölçümüne dair kısa bir özet sunulması ve zihin-yönelimliliğinin zihin kuramı üzerinden kavramsallaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Zihin-yönelimliliğinin oldukça yeni bir kavram olduğunun göz önünde bulundurulması ve farklı kültürel bağlamlarda incelenmesi oldukça önemlidir. Buna ek olarak, zihin yönelimliliğinin hem ebeveynler hem sosyal bilimciler hem de uygulayıcılar tarafından dikkate alınarak, çocukların bilişsel becerilerinin üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesi kritiktir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Zihin-Yönelimliliği
• Zihin Kuramı
• Annelik
• Bebeklik Dönemi
• Bilişsel Gelişim

Kaynakça

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