Spatial Decentralization Research Articles

Cognitive Egocentrism: Age and Environmental Variables in Spatial Decentration among Tanzanian Children

Cognitive Egocentrism: Age and Environmental Variables in Spatial Decentration among Tanzanian Children

The identification of propulsive industrial sectors and their relevance to decision making on spatial development

Data from a cross-section of Mexican municipios (administrative units approximating metropolitan counties) are used to estimate manufacturing production functions, at the two-digit SIC level. The population of the municipio enters the production functions as a variable, in a manner similar to the treatment of time as a proxy for development in time series studies. In this way, we are able to test for external economies as well as for the usual properties of manufacturing industry. It is suggested that these findings are critical to formulation of a growth centers policy as well as for a spatial decentralization policy in Mexico. The approach, however, is of wider interest.

EFFECTS OF PERCEPTUAL SHIELDING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPATIAL PERSPECTIVES

BRODZINSKY, DAVID M.; JACKSON, JOSEPH P.; and OVERTON, WILLIS F. Effects of Perceptual Shielding in the Development of Spatial Perspectives. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1972, 43, 1041-1046. 6-, 8-, and 10-year-old children were assessed for spatial decentration with a modified version of Piaget's mountain scene task. Subjects received both single and multiple object arrays under either a shielded or nonshielded condition. Results indicated a positive relationship between age and nonegocentric performance on the spatial perspective task. Shielding the stimulus arrays facilitated performance for the 8-year-old and, to a lesser extent, the 10O-year-olds, while it had no effect on the 6-year-olds. Finally, no difference was found between single and multiple object arrays. Results are discussed in terms of variables which may lead to the activation of cognitive structures during the transitional period.