Abstract
In three experiments the understanding was studied that a statement's surface meaning may differ from its actual meaning, which is determined by a speaker's intentional states. Children (ages 3-5) were informed of a speaker's deceptive intent, but not the truth. Even 3-year-olds rejected the lie-teller's statement as reflecting his true beliefs and the truth, indicating a basic expression-representation differentiation. Most 4- and 5-year-olds and some 3-year-olds demonstrated more advanced understanding of the expression-representation distinction. They knew that a lie may contain information about a lie~teller's true knowledge state as well as the truth. The expression-representation distinction emerges in the preschool years and lays the foundation for further enhancement in later years.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Kang and Cameron, Catherine Ann
(2000)
"Extracting Truthful Information From Lies:
Emergence of the Expression-Representation Distinction,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 46:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol46/iss1/2