false belief

A false belief refers to the understanding that someone can hold a mistaken idea about the world, different from reality. It's the recognition that people can interpret information incorrectly or be unaware of certain facts, which influences their behavior and decisions. This concept is crucial in understanding social interactions and cognitive development, particularly how individuals predict others’ actions based on their beliefs—even when those beliefs are incorrect. For example, a person might believe a cookie jar is empty when it actually contains cookies, illustrating how false beliefs can shape perceptions and responses.