Infant representations of social relationships: the need to consider the social world
Abstract
We present three challenges to Thomas' theory leveraging our expertise in social and cognitive development. First, Thomas' theory fails to capture defining relationship characteristics, necessitating consideration of relationship science. Second, we argue that declaring innate knowledge of relationships is premature. Third, we propose that in the core domain of social cognition, relationship and sociomoral representations exist simultaneously without need for replacement.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Child and Animal Learning Development
Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Behavioral and Brain Sciences
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Volume
- 49
- Pages
- e32–e32
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN