policeman doll study

Question 1

aim?

Answer 1

to create a test of egocentrism that would be more understandable for children under 7 years old

Question 2

sample?

Answer 2

30 children aged 3 1/2 to 5 from edinburgh

Question 3

method - step 1

Answer 3

task introduced very carefully to children, 4 intersecting walls

Question 4

method - step 2

Answer 4

child asked to hide doll from 1 policeman to make sure they understand it

Question 5

method - step 3

Answer 5

children then asked to hide it from 3 policemen

Question 6

results?

Answer 6

90% of children could hide the doll from the 3 policemen

Question 7

results with harder task?

Answer 7

when 5 or 6 walls used, 60% of 3 year olds could hide it and 90% of 4 year olds could hide it

Question 8

conclusion?

Answer 8

shows piaget’s task was too difficult and that he underestimated children as 4 year olds weren’t egocentric

Question 9

weakness? (hinting)

Answer 9

adult might have unconciously hinted the correct answer to the child, eg looking in the direction of where the correct place is. challenges the validity of the study

Question 10

weakness? (ecological validity)

Answer 10

task involved hiding policemen which is not a normal everyday task. lacks ecological validity, doesnt reflect everyday life.

Question 11

strength? (understandable)

Answer 11

made better sense for the children that the mountains task did. policeman doll study was simpler to understand and more similar to the kind of problems children encounter in everyday life. means the researcher can better asses the childrens abilities