Contradiction, surprise, and cognitive change: the effects of disconfirmation of belief on conservers and nonconservers

Abstract

This study examined children's reactions to violations of their expectancies concerning conservation of weight. Three groups were tested: nonconservers (mean CA = 8 years, 4 months), young conservers (mean CA = 8 years, 10 months), and older conservers (mean CA = 11 years). Surprise and cognitive change were the principal outcomes assessed. Contrary to expectation, observable surprise proved infrequent in all groups. In contrast, changes in conservation judgment were frequent, although the degree of change was reduced somewhat if an appropriate explanation was required. The three groups were generally indistinguishable in the extent to which they changed. Evidence of active resistance to change (as defined by explanations which denied the validity of the outcome) was absent in nonconservers but appeared in about half the conservers. Older conservers were no more likely to resist extinction than were younger conservers.