Contributions of Societal Modernity to Cognitive Development: A Comparison of Four Cultures
Child Development, Vol. 80, No. 6, Pages 1628 - 1642.
Gauvain, Robert L.
study examined how societal changes associated with modernization are
related to cognitive development. Data were from 4 cultural communities
that represented a broad range of traditional and modern elements: the
Garifuna (Belize), Logoli (Kenya), Newars (Nepal), and Samoans
(American Samoa). Naturalistic observations and the performances of 3-,
5-, 7-, and 9-year-old children (N = 192)
on 7 cognitive measures were examined. Results replicated age-related
improvement on all measures. Contributions of modernity were evident in
children's play behaviors and cognitive performances, especially in
skills related to schooling. Modernization and schooling independently
predicted differences on most of the measures. Results are discussed in
relation to the Flynn effect, the worldwide increase in cognitive
scores across generations, and the ways in which societal modernization
may contribute to cognitive development.
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(Something interesting I found)Posted: Wednesday, February 3, 2010