Full Idea
The modes of understanding (or modes of construal) which have been proposed are intentional, mechanical, teleological, essentialist, vitalist (perhaps), and deontological.
Gist of Idea
There is intentional, mechanical, teleological, essentialist, vitalist and deontological understanding
Source
Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 11 'Broadening')
Book Reference
Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.312
A Reaction
She cites psychological research to support this, and calls it 'a relatively small number' of modes. Compare Aristotle's four modes of cause/explanation.