Book Sections/Chapters

1. Tomasello, M, Having Intentions, Understanding Intentions, and Understanding Communicative Intentions, in Developing Theories of Intention: Social Understanding and Self-Control (January, 2023), pp. 63-75 [doi].
   (last updated on 2024/11/04)

   Abstract:
   This chapter looks at a major cause and a major consequence of the 9-month social-cognitive revolution; and both of these also concern infant intentionality. It argues that young children’s understanding of other persons as intentional agents results in large part from newly emerging forms of intentionality in their own sensory-motor actions. The chapter explores young children’s understanding of a special type of intention that emerges directly on the heels of the 9-month revolution, namely, communicative intentions. Intentional agents have goals and make active choices among behavioral means for attaining those goals. Important, intentional agents also make active choices about what they pay attention to in pursuing those goals. ntentional agents have goals and make active choices among behavioral means for attaining those goals. Important, intentional agents also make active choices about what they pay attention to in pursuing those goals.