본 연구에서는 유아의 연령 및 마음이론 수준에 따라 나타나는 정신상태용어 사용, 어휘력(PPVT), 가장놀이에서의 언어기능 수준에서의 차이를 밝히고자 하였다. 126명의 4, 5세 유아를 대상으로 변인간의 전반적 상관을 본 결과 마음이론과 PPVT간에는 유의한 상관이 있었으나 마음이론과 언어기능과는 상관이 나타나지 않았다. 마음이론 과제 수행 수준에 의해 4세 18명(마음이론 상집단 8명, 마음이론 하집단 10령), 5세 17명(마음이론 상집단 7명, 마음이론 하집단 10명)을 표집하여 분석한 결과 정신상태용어 사용에서 유의한 차이가 있었다.

This study examines the differences in the levels of language function of pretend play, vocabulary, and mental-state term expressions for young children according to the theory of mind. The level in theory of mind and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised(PPVT-R) of 126 4- and 5-year-olds from four kindergartens were measured and the level of their language function during pretend play was observed in the dramatic and block play area using a target-child-focused observation. 15 children with a high level of theory of mind and 20 children with a low level of theory of mind were selected and their use of mental-state terms in the retelling of story were noted. Theory of mind showed significant correlation with PPVT-R, but not with the language function of pretend play. As well, there was no significant correlation between PPVT-R and language function. There were significant differences in the use of mental-state terms according to the level of theory of mind, but not in PPVT-R and not at the level of language function.