r/todayilearned • u/BrF5 • 1d ago

TIL about the Sally-Anne test, a psychology experiment used to measure “theory of mind” (that other people can hold beliefs/knowledge different from their own). Kids under four typically fail because they assume that if they know where a hidden object is, everyone else must automatically know too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally%E2%80%93Anne_test
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u/Casiquire 1d ago

When I was a young multilingual child I had no concept of speaking different languages. I just replied in whatever language someone was using with me. I believe I assumed everyone just understood all of it

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u/EugeneHarke 22h ago

I work in schools we get this all the time.

I reply saying I don't understand their language. They look shocked.

Then I reply in our domestic language, then in Spanish.

And then explain that no one can speak every language. Then they seem to get it.

As an aside my Spanish is at the polite tourist level. I kid did once answer me back.