This chapter examines the gradual development of social cognition in children, from distinguishing humans to interpreting social norms and understanding the emotions and thoughts of others. It also explores how children anthropomorphize non-living entities and refine their imaginative processes over time.
What happens in our brain when we make assumptions about people who don’t seem to be like us – when they may look, speak, or behave differently. And can brain science help us to override our potential prejudices? I explore some research on this topic, which specifically looks at how we perceive other people, animals, and things outside ourselves - such as technology.