CHARTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIONAL SKILLS - WHEN DO CHILDREN KNOW THAT MAPS CAN LEAD AND MISLEAD

This study was conducted to test Perner's (1991) hypothesis that 3-yea r-olds fail the false belief task because they cannot metarepresent (r epresent a representation's sense and reference). Preschoolers made an d interpreted symbolic maps, and were tested on their understanding of the implications of following an incorrect map (false belief test). Y oung 3-year-olds showed some ability to make and use maps but performe d poorly on the false belief tests. Children were more likely to use a n incorrect map to predict behavior if the represented object was miss ing instead of in a wrong location. Many children were also able to pr edict that someone who used an incorrect map would not ''find'' the ob ject. These results contradict Perner's hypothesis and suggest that re presentational skills develop gradually rather than appearing in a rad ical conceptual shift at age 4.