<P> An alternative account of theory of mind is given within operant psychology and provides significant empirical evidence for a functional account of both perspective - taking and empathy . The most developed operant approach is founded on research on derived relational responding and is subsumed within what is called "relational frame theory". According to this view, empathy and perspective - taking comprise a complex set of derived relational abilities based on learning to discriminate and respond verbally to ever more complex relations between self, others, place, and time, and through established relations . </P> <P> Contemporary discussions of Theory of Mind have their roots in philosophical debate--most broadly, from the time of Descartes' Second Meditation, which set the groundwork for considering the science of the mind . Most prominent recently are two contrasting approaches in the philosophical literature, to theory of mind: theory - theory and simulation theory . The theory - theorist imagines a veritable theory--"folk psychology"--used to reason about others' minds . The theory is developed automatically and innately, though instantiated through social interactions . It is also closely related to person perception and attribution theory from social psychology . </P> <P> The intuitive assumption that others are minded is an apparent tendency we all share . We anthropomorphize non-human animals, inanimate objects, and even natural phenomena . Daniel Dennett referred to this tendency as taking an "intentional stance" toward things: we assume they have intentions, to help predict future behavior . However, there is an important distinction between taking an "intentional stance" toward something and entering a "shared world" with it . The intentional stance is a detached and functional theory we resort to during interpersonal interactions . A shared world is directly perceived and its existence structures reality itself for the perceiver . It is not just automatically applied to perception; it in many ways constitutes perception . </P> <P> The philosophical roots of the relational frame theory (RFT) account of Theory of Mind arise from contextual psychology and refer to the study of organisms (both human and non-human) interacting in and with a historical and current situational context . It is an approach based on contextualism, a philosophy in which any event is interpreted as an ongoing act inseparable from its current and historical context and in which a radically functional approach to truth and meaning is adopted . As a variant of contextualism, RFT focuses on the construction of practical, scientific knowledge . This scientific form of contextual psychology is virtually synonymous with the philosophy of operant psychology . </P>

When does the mind start to understand a thing