Definition
The ability to make inferences about the causes of human behavior.
Introduction
A hallmark of human cognition is the capacity to read beneath the surface appearance of behaviors. Being able to see beyond the physical properties of an action and interpret it in terms of underlying intentions is integral to successful social functioning. Driving safely, negotiating job offers, playing a tennis match, and engaging in a conversation all require on-line, moment-to-moment predictions about other people’s actions. When observing another person perform an action, adults and children typically fixate the goal of the action before it is completed (Flanagan and Johansson 2003).
Goal Detection is Precocious
Given that we live in a world of perceived intentional agents, an important question is, at what age are the actions of others perceived as guided by intentions? Over the past 20 years, researchers have developed sophisticated techniques (such as...
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References
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Poulin-Dubois, D. (2017). Goal Detection. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3337-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3337-2
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Latest
Goal Detection- Published:
- 17 July 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3337-2
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Original
Goal Detection- Published:
- 10 May 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3337-1