Understanding Why Children Commit Scale Errors: Scale Error and Its Relation to Action Planning and Inhibitory Control, and the Concept of Size.

Mikako Ishibashi,Yusuke Moriguchi

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00826

Mikako Ishibashi, Yusuke Moriguchi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00826

Copy DOI

Abstract

Scale error is a phenomenon where young children attempt to perform inappropriate actions on miniature object without considering the actual size of the object. The present study examined two hypotheses on what factors contribute to the occurrence of scale errors, focusing on the following possible factors: action planning and inhibitory control, and concept of size. Thus, we hypothesize that scale errors derived from either immaturity of their action planning and inhibitory control abilities or understanding of size concepts. The results revealed that the concept of size was significantly negatively associated with the occurrence of scale errors. However, action planning and inhibitory control were not significantly associated with the occurrence of scale errors. These results suggest that scale errors may arise from a misunderstanding of size concepts.

Highlights

Young children sometimes attempt to perform inappropriate actions without considering the size of an object
The results revealed that the performances of the planning and inhibitory control tasks were not significantly related to the occurrence of scale errors
The results revealed that the performance of the planning task and the A-not-B error task did not relate to the occurrence of scale errors

Summary

Introduction

Young children sometimes attempt to perform inappropriate actions without considering the size of an object. They deliberately try to fit their bodies onto/into extremely tiny objects, such as trying to ride on a miniature car or chair. This phenomenon is called a scale error (DeLoache et al, 2004). In the original study by DeLoache et al (2004) about half of 18- to 30-month-old children committed at least one scale error. Children commit scale errors in experimental situations, in preschool classrooms, and at home when playing with miniature objects, such as a doll or tool (DeLoache et al, 2004, 2013; Ware et al, 2006, 2010; Brownell et al, 2007; Rosengren et al, 2009; Casler et al, 2011)

Methods

Results

Conclusion