The Acquisition of Conservation

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of age, schooling, and parental profession on the acquisition of conservation by Ghanaian children. Subjects were 120 girls, ages 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 years. Half the subjects were from traditional-profession homes (making and selling products in the marketplace) and half from non-traditional-profession homes (clerical positions). Also, half the subjects attended school and half were unschooled. All subjects were given two tasks measuring conservation of continuous quantity (liquid and solid substances). Results were that older subjects scored significantly higher than younger subjects and the traditional-profession group scored higher than the nontraditional group. Surprisingly, unschooled subjects tended to perform better than schooled subjects. Results were interpreted as contrasting the effects of a rich natural environment with a relatively less stimulating school experience.