Young children's understanding of intentions and desires: What makes us
do what we do
Carolyn A. Schult
Department of Psychology
Indiana University South Bend
Abstract:
After watching a romantic movie, Mom says, "I'd really love to live in
Paris. I want to move there right now." How does the rest of the
family react? Do they start packing? Take French lessons? For
children under the age of five or six, there might be some confusion as
to whether a move is immanent. Adults clearly understand that wanting
something is not the same thing as intending to do something, but young
children are not as clear in their distinctions between intentions and
desires. Knowing the difference between the two is necessary for
predicting and explaining people's actions, the foundation of social
interaction. Imagine how confusing the world would be if you could not
tell the difference between a lie and a joke, pretend and real, or a
wish and a plan.
My research explores the development of children's understanding of
intentions as a separate concept from desires. I investigate at what
age children recognize several key distinctions between intentions and
desires, and how they use information about intentions and desires to
predict and explain people's actions.