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Decalage Effects for Heating and Cooling

A Cross-Cultural Study

University of Cape Town

Colin Tredoux

University of Cape Town

Frank Bokhorst

University of Cape Town

This study investigated a horizontal décalage phenomenon in the development of children's knowledge about heating and cooling. Décalage phenomena have posed a problem to orthodox Piagetian theory and have reinforced the objection by some domain-specific theorists to the central Piagetian notion of overarching structures. The aim of this study was to contribute to this debate by empirical observation of décalage phenomena. A total of 270 children from 3 ethnic groups were tested for their understanding of heating and cooling concepts, using a standard task and a structured interview. Results showed a strong décalage effect: Children used more sophisticated explanations, at earlier ages, for heating than for cooling phenomena. This horizontal décalage was present in a similar form in all three ethnic groups. We argue that the uniformity of the décalage is difficult to reconcile with domain-specific views.

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 27, No. 1, 51-66 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022196271004


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