Individual and Developmental Differences in the Relationship of Preferences and Theory of Mind

Kristina Leipold, Nora C. Vetter, Marcus Dittrich (), Marco Lehmann-Waffenschmidt and Matthias Kliegel

No 4053, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: Theory of mind and individual preferences are important determinants in social decision making. The current study examined in a large sample whether being a cooperative preference type is related with better theory of mind skills. Furthermore, by testing adolescents and adults, we examined the impact of age on this relation. Theory of mind is measured in a Public Goods Game. Results indicate that the cooperative type predicted other players. preference types more accurately in the first round of the Public Goods Game. Regarding age differences, cooperative adults estimated the behavior of players of the same type better than cooperative adolescents. Adolescents show lower cooperation levels and a slower adaption of behavior than adults indicating ongoing development of theory of mind in adolescence.

Keywords: theory of mind; social preferences; cooperative behavior; public goods game (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 D03 D83 H42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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