Through theoretical discussion, literature review, and a computational model, this paper poses a challenge to the notion that perspective-taking involves a fixed architecture in which particular processes have priority. For example, some research suggests that egocentric perspectives can arise more quickly, with other perspectives (such as of task partners) emerging only secondarily. This theoretical dichotomy–between fast egocentric and slow other-centric processes–is challenged here. We propose a general view of perspective-taking as an emergent phenomenon governed by the interplay among cognitive mechanisms that accumulate information at different timescales. We first describe the pervasive relevance of perspective-taking to cognitive science. A dynamical systems model is then introduced that explicitly formulates the timescale interaction proposed. This model illustrates that, rather than having a rigid time course, perspective-taking can be fast or slow depending on factors such as task context. Implications are discussed, with ideas for future empirical research.

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We use a novel task to test two competing hypotheses concerning the cognitive processes involved in dishonesty. Many existing accounts of deception imply that in order to act dishonestly one has to use cognitive control to overcome a bias toward the truth, which results in more time and effort. A recent hypothesis suggests that lying in order to serve self-interest may be a rapid, even automatic tendency taking less time than refraining from lying. In the current study, we track the action dynamics of potentially dishonest decisions to investigate the underlying cognitive processes. Participants are asked to privately predict the outcome of a virtual coin flip, report their accuracy and receive bonus credit for accurate predictions. The movements of the computer cursor toward the target answer are recorded and used to characterize the dynamics of decisions. Our results suggest that when a self-serving condition holds, decisions that have a high probability of being dishonest take less time and experience less hesitation.

Struggling with basic restrictions in mental operations, information ‎processing, and social and communicative skills, mentally-‎challenged children learn with delay. Numerous methods have been ‎proposed to enhance learning among the mentally challenged. One is ‎emo-sensory education which highlights the interplay of senses and ‎emotions and raises teachers’ awareness of practical sense and ‎emotion utilization in class. This study analyzed emo-sensory text on ‎Persian literature, basic sciences, and theology books of mentally-‎challenged fourth-graders in terms of senses and emotions. These ‎books were compared to those utilized for normal fourth graders. ‎The emo-sensory text analysis revealed no significant differences ‎between these two sets of books regarding applying emo-sensory ‎words. Material developers merely paid attention to the visual sense, ‎while mentally-challenged and normal children are considerably ‎different. Various senses have to be integrated into the textbooks to ‎enhance learning and communicative skills, which seems to have ‎been overlooked. As a result, authors should include more emo-‎sensory stimuli to boost information processing and benefit the ‎mentally challenged.

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