Mothers and Fathers Differ in their Perceptions of Young Children's Minds

Parent gender differences in perceptions of children's mental capacities (mind perception), changes in mind perception from child age 1 to 36 months, and underlying mechanisms were examined. In Study 1, 234 parents (93.6% White; 3.8% Hispanic) reported on capacities of preschool-aged children; in Study 2, 480 parents (86.6% White; 7.7% Hispanic) reported on their own child’s capacities at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 36 months. Mothers rated children (d=0.34), including their own (d=0.54), as more capable than fathers did. Developmental patterns varied across capacities and parent gender. Parent gender differences at 36 months were partly explained by mothers’ higher interest and curiosity regarding the child’s mental states. Findings have implications for cognitive and developmental science and for designing family interventions.