Hughes policeman doll study on Egocentrism

• What does egocentrism mean in Piaget's study?

  Seeing the world only from one's own view
• What was the aim of Hughes' study on egocentrism?

  To create a test understandable for younger children
• What method did Hughes use in his study?

  • Lab experiment
  • Standardised procedures
  • Involved 30 children aged 3½ to 5 years
• How did Hughes ensure children understood the task in his study?

  By asking them to hide a boy doll from a policeman
• What percentage of children could hide the boy doll from two policemen?

  90%
• What was the result when a complex model with five or six walls was used?

  60% of 3-year-olds and 90% of 4-year-olds hid correctly
• What conclusion did Hughes draw about children aged 4 years?

  They are mostly not egocentric
• How did Hughes' study challenge Piaget's findings?

  It showed Piaget underestimated younger children's abilities
• What are the strengths of Hughes' study compared to Piaget's three mountains task?

  • Task made more sense to children
  • Hiding from a policeman is relatable
  • More realistic test of children's abilities
• What is a potential weakness of Hughes' study regarding researcher expectations?

  Expectations may have influenced children's behavior
• How did Hughes' study refine child development research?

  It clarified misunderstandings in Piaget's original study