By the end of this Topic, you should be able to:

Understand the aims, procedures and findings (results and conclusions), and strengths and weaknesses of the following studies:

Piaget and Inhelder (1956) ‘Three mountains’ task
Gunderson et al. (2013) Parent Praise to 1-3 Year Olds Predicts Children’s Motivational Frameworks 5 Years Later

Reading

Read pages 16-23 of the textbook. Complete the “Sum it up” section on page 23. Make notes on the topics of ethics, validity and generalisability which are discussed in Topic 11: Research methods.

Download

Read the following two key studies to extend your understanding.

Piaget and Inhelder (1956) Three mountains task:

Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1956) The Child's Conception of Space. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Gunderson et al. (2013) Parent Praise:

Gunderson et al. (2013) Parent Praise to 1- to 3-Year-Olds Predicts Children's Motivational Frameworks 5 Years Later. Child Development; 84(5): 1526-1541.

Now use the templates below to make notes from the above key studies:

INTERACT – Piaget Template

INTERACT – Gunderson Template

Extension Material

Complete the ‘Develop it’ task on page 19 of the textbook. Use the internet to find the age of criminal responsibility in different countries such as England, Scotland and Sweden. Understanding children’s mental abilities is important for the criminal justice system.