McGarrigle and Donaldson's Naughty Teddy Study

• What is conservation in child development?

  The ability to realize quantity remains the same
• What did Piaget show about younger children and conservation?

  Younger children can’t conserve with number or volume
• Who challenged Piaget's findings on conservation?

  McGarrigle and Donaldson
• What was the aim of McGarrigle and Donaldson's study?

  • To see if younger children could conserve
  • Focused on accidental changes in counters
• Describe the method used in McGarrigle and Donaldson's study.

  • 4–6-year-olds shown two rows of counters
  • A teddy messed up one row
  • Children asked if one row had more or if they were the same
• What percentage of children conserved when counters were changed intentionally?

  41%
• What percentage of children conserved when the change was accidental?

  68%
• How did older children perform compared to younger children in the study?

  Older children gave more correct answers
• What conclusion can be drawn from McGarrigle and Donaldson's study regarding Piaget's testing method?

  • Piaget's method may not show children's abilities
  • Children aged 4–6 could conserve with accidental changes
  • Challenges Piaget's belief about age of conservation
• What is a weakness regarding the sample in McGarrigle and Donaldson's study?

  • All primary age children from one school
  • Educational background differences may affect results
• What is a weakness related to children's awareness of changes in the study?

  • Children may not have noticed the change
  • Distraction could affect conservation responses
• What strength does McGarrigle and Donaldson's study provide regarding Piaget's theory?

  • Challenges Piaget's theory of conservation
  • Refines understanding of child development research