L'influence des schèmes sensori-moteurs et de l'orientation spatiale du modèle sur la rétention des correspondances numériques et spatiales antagonistes

Abstract

Summary : The influence of sensorimotor schemas and spatial orientation of the model upon the retention of numerical and spatial antagonistie correspondences. Piaget and Inhelder have shown a relation between the development of mnemonic activities and that of pre-operational and operational behaviour. But, as some young children have precocious success in memory tests, non-operational factors must be involved. The aim of this work, carried out by using the device of numerical and spatial antagonistie correspondences, was to study the effects on memory — after a delay of one week — of the two following factors : — The copy of the model and its reproduction, from memory, after one minute (both liable to improve the retention). — The spatial orientation of the model by presenting two equivalent forms from the point of view of length conservation : the form used by Piaget and Inhelder (model I) and its mirror image (model II). The results obtained with 218 children, 5 to 7 years old, show that these two factors and the age of the children modify the accuracy of recall of model I. Model II is reproduced correctly less frequently, and gives rise to mirror image drawings. These effects may be linked to a drawing strategy encouragea by graphie schemas. To verify this point, 44 Iranian children, 7 years old, were tested. In their culture, the direction of writing is from right to left and that of numbers is from left to right. The results show that these subjects tend to adapt their drawing strategy better to the spatial particularities of the models : there is no significant difference in the number of correct drawings belween the two models. These results suggest that graphie schemas can account for some distortions of memory at an age when operative schemas are not yet in place. Key words : children's memory, Piagetian theory, children's drawings.