ERIC Number: EJ1184813
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-3920
EISSN: N/A
Preferences for Explanation Generality Develop Early in Biology but Not Physics
Johnston, Angie M.; Sheskin, Mark; Johnson, Samuel G. B.; Keil, Frank C.
Child Development, v89 n4 p1110-1119 Jul-Aug 2018
One of the core functions of explanation is to support prediction and generalization. However, some explanations license a broader range of predictions than others. For instance, an explanation about biology could be presented as applying to a specific case (e.g., "this bear") or more generally across "all animals." The current study investigated how 5- to 7-year-olds (N = 36), 11- to 13-year-olds (N = 34), and adults (N = 79) evaluate explanations at varying levels of generality in biology and physics. Findings revealed that even the youngest children preferred general explanations in biology. However, only older children and adults preferred explanation generality in physics. Findings are discussed in light of differences in our intuitions about biological and physical principles.
Descriptors: Prediction, Generalization, Biology, Adults, Children, Adolescents, Age Differences, Physics, Scientific Principles, Teaching Methods, Developmental Stages, Preferences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DGE1122492