Rowley, M. G. and Robinson, Elizabeth J.. (2007) Understanding the truth about subjectivity. Social Development, Vol.16 (No.4). pp. 747-757. ISSN 0961-205x

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Abstract

Results of two experiments show children’s understanding of diversity in personal preference is incomplete. Despite acknowledging diversity, in Experiment 1(N=108), 6- and 8-year-old children were less likely than adults to see preference as a legitimate basis for personal tastes and more likely to say a single truth could be found about a matter of taste. In Experiment 2 (N=96), 7- and 9-year-olds were less likely than 11- and 13-yearolds to say a dispute about a matter of preference might not be resolved. These data suggest that acceptance of the possibility of diversity does not indicate an adult-like understanding of subjectivity. An understanding of the relative emphasis placed on objective and subjective factors in different contexts continues to develop into adolescence.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Child psychology, Knowledge, Theory of, Subjectivity
Journal or Publication Title:	Social Development
Publisher:	Blackwell
ISSN:	0961-205x
Date:	November 2007
Volume:	Vol.16
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 747-757
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1467-9507.2007.00405.x
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Related URLs:	Publisher
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/51

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