UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Executive function and theory of mind as predictors of aggressive and prosocial behavior and peer acceptance in early childhood

O'Toole, SE; Monks, CP; Tsermentseli, S; (2017) Executive function and theory of mind as predictors of aggressive and prosocial behavior and peer acceptance in early childhood. Social Development , 26 (4) pp. 907-920. 10.1111/sode.12231. Green open access

[thumbnail of O'TOOLE_Executive_Function_and_Theory_of_Mind_2017.pdf]
Preview
Text
O'TOOLE_Executive_Function_and_Theory_of_Mind_2017.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (503kB) | Preview

Abstract

Executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) are related to children's social interactions, such as aggression and prosocial behavior, as well as their peer acceptance. However, limited research has examined different forms of aggression and the moderating role of gender. This study investigated links between EF, ToM, physical and relational aggression, prosocial behavior and peer acceptance and explored whether these relations are gender specific. Children (N = 106) between 46‐ and 80‐months‐old completed tasks assessing cool and hot EF and ToM. Teaching staff rated children's aggression, prosocial behavior, and peer acceptance. EF and ToM predicted physical, but not relational, aggression. Poor inhibition and delay of gratification were uniquely associated with greater physical aggression. EF and ToM did not predict prosocial behavior or peer acceptance. Added to this, gender did not moderate the relation between either EF or ToM and social outcomes. The correlates of aggression may therefore differ across forms of aggression but not between genders in early childhood.

Type: Article
Title: Executive function and theory of mind as predictors of aggressive and prosocial behavior and peer acceptance in early childhood
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/sode.12231
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12231
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: aggression, executive function, peer acceptance, prosocial behavior, theory of mind
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10067820
Downloads since deposit
272Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item