ERIC Number: EJ1112284
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Sep
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: N/A
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Children's Imitative Flexibility
Clegg, Jennifer M.; Legare, Cristine H.
Developmental Psychology, v52 n9 p1435-1444 Sep 2016
Recent research with Western populations has demonstrated that children use imitation flexibly to engage in both instrumental and conventional learning. Evidence for children's imitative flexibility in non-Western populations is limited, however, and has only assessed imitation of instrumental tasks. This study (N = 142, 6- to 8-year-olds) demonstrates both cultural continuity and cultural variation in imitative flexibility. Children engage in higher imitative fidelity for conventional tasks than for instrumental tasks in both an industrialized, Western culture (United States), and a subsistence-based, non-Western culture (Vanuatu). Children in Vanuatu engage in higher imitative fidelity of instrumental tasks than in the United States, a potential consequence of cultural variation in child socialization for conformity.
Descriptors: Imitation, Cross Cultural Studies, Comparative Analysis, Children, Child Psychology, Task Analysis, Cultural Differences, Child Behavior, Females, Elementary School Students, Cues, Foreign Countries, Statistical Analysis, Regression (Statistics)
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States; Vanuatu
Grant or Contract Numbers: REFRES060250085