Young children’s tool innovation across culture : affordance visibility matters
- Neldner, Karri, Mushin, Ilana, Nielsen, Mark
- Authors: Neldner, Karri , Mushin, Ilana , Nielsen, Mark
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cross-cultural , Tool manufacture , Tool innovation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/259831 , uj:27346 , Citation: Neldner, K., Mushin, I. & Nielsen, M. 2017. Young children’s tool innovation across culture : affordance visibility matters.
- Description: Abstract: Young children typically demonstrate low rates of tool innovation. However, previous studies have limited children’s performance by presenting tools with opaque affordances. In an attempt to scaffold children’s understanding of what constitutes an appropriate tool within an innovation task we compared tools in which the focal affordance was visible to those in which it was opaque. To evaluate possible cultural specificity, data collection was undertaken in a Western urban population and a remote Indigenous community. As expected affordance visibility altered innovation rates: young children were more likely to innovate on a tool that had visible affordances than one with concealed affordances. Furthermore, innovation rates were higher than those reported in previous innovation studies. Cultural background did not affect children’s rates of tool innovation. It is suggested that new methods for testing tool innovation in children must be developed in order to broaden our knowledge of young children’s tool innovation capabilities.
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- Authors: Neldner, Karri , Mushin, Ilana , Nielsen, Mark
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cross-cultural , Tool manufacture , Tool innovation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/259831 , uj:27346 , Citation: Neldner, K., Mushin, I. & Nielsen, M. 2017. Young children’s tool innovation across culture : affordance visibility matters.
- Description: Abstract: Young children typically demonstrate low rates of tool innovation. However, previous studies have limited children’s performance by presenting tools with opaque affordances. In an attempt to scaffold children’s understanding of what constitutes an appropriate tool within an innovation task we compared tools in which the focal affordance was visible to those in which it was opaque. To evaluate possible cultural specificity, data collection was undertaken in a Western urban population and a remote Indigenous community. As expected affordance visibility altered innovation rates: young children were more likely to innovate on a tool that had visible affordances than one with concealed affordances. Furthermore, innovation rates were higher than those reported in previous innovation studies. Cultural background did not affect children’s rates of tool innovation. It is suggested that new methods for testing tool innovation in children must be developed in order to broaden our knowledge of young children’s tool innovation capabilities.
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The structural validity of Holland's R-I-A-S-E-C model of vocational personality types for young black South African men and women.
- Authors: Du Toit, R. , De Bruin, G.P.
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Vocational interest , Cross-cultural , Hexagonal model , Vocational personality types , Structure of vocational interest , Circular order model
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2875
- Description: This study examined the validity of Holland’s circular order model of vocational personality types for young black South African men and women. The validity of the model was investigated for four groups, namely men and women from the Eastern Cape Province, and men and women from the North West Province. The randomization test of hypothesized order relations and the accompanying correspondence index suggested that the data of all four groups fit the circular order model poorly. The results of multidimensional scaling analyses also suggested poor fit. These results indicate that the circular order model may not be valid for black South African youths. Reasons for the unsatisfactory fit between the model and the observed data are discussed.
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- Authors: Du Toit, R. , De Bruin, G.P.
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Vocational interest , Cross-cultural , Hexagonal model , Vocational personality types , Structure of vocational interest , Circular order model
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2875
- Description: This study examined the validity of Holland’s circular order model of vocational personality types for young black South African men and women. The validity of the model was investigated for four groups, namely men and women from the Eastern Cape Province, and men and women from the North West Province. The randomization test of hypothesized order relations and the accompanying correspondence index suggested that the data of all four groups fit the circular order model poorly. The results of multidimensional scaling analyses also suggested poor fit. These results indicate that the circular order model may not be valid for black South African youths. Reasons for the unsatisfactory fit between the model and the observed data are discussed.
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Motivation for solitude : a cross-cultural examination of adolescents from collectivist and individualist cultures in South Africa
- Van Zyl, Casper J.J., Dankaert, Esmarilda, Guse, Tharina
- Authors: Van Zyl, Casper J.J. , Dankaert, Esmarilda , Guse, Tharina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Motivation , Solitude , Cross-cultural
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260603 , uj:27445 , Citation: Van Zyl, C.J.J., Dankaert, E. & Guse, T. 2018. Motivation for solitude : a cross-cultural examination of adolescents from collectivist and individualist cultures in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Solitude during adolescence is a potentially double edged sword. Involuntary (non-self-determined solitude) is associated with loneliness, which is known to predict many forms of psychological ill-being. In contrast, freely chosen (self-determined solitude) is associated with healthy developmental outcomes. It is possible that cultural attitudes towards solitude could influence the way adolescents think about and engage in solitude. The present study examined whether South African adolescents from individualist and collectivist cultures differ in their motivations for solitude, using the Motivation for Solitude Scale (MSS-SF). Respondents included 426 adolescents from collectivist and 266 from individualist cultures, between 14 and 18 years of age (mean age = 15.7). For valid cross-cultural comparisons, measurement equivalence was established using invariance and differential item functioning analysis. Results for the measurement invariance analysis (MI) marginally failed to support scalar invariance. Given criticism that MI is overly restrictive, Rasch analysis was used to test for uniform DIF, which supported invariance. Next, Bayesian analysis was used to investigate group differences. There was no difference between the cultural groups for non-self-determined solitude, but, adolescents from individualist cultures were less likely to engage in self-determined solitude. Results support the cross-cultural application of the MSS-SF, and point to a possible cultural bias against self-determined solitude in individualist cultures, despite its potential benefits.
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- Authors: Van Zyl, Casper J.J. , Dankaert, Esmarilda , Guse, Tharina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Motivation , Solitude , Cross-cultural
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260603 , uj:27445 , Citation: Van Zyl, C.J.J., Dankaert, E. & Guse, T. 2018. Motivation for solitude : a cross-cultural examination of adolescents from collectivist and individualist cultures in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Solitude during adolescence is a potentially double edged sword. Involuntary (non-self-determined solitude) is associated with loneliness, which is known to predict many forms of psychological ill-being. In contrast, freely chosen (self-determined solitude) is associated with healthy developmental outcomes. It is possible that cultural attitudes towards solitude could influence the way adolescents think about and engage in solitude. The present study examined whether South African adolescents from individualist and collectivist cultures differ in their motivations for solitude, using the Motivation for Solitude Scale (MSS-SF). Respondents included 426 adolescents from collectivist and 266 from individualist cultures, between 14 and 18 years of age (mean age = 15.7). For valid cross-cultural comparisons, measurement equivalence was established using invariance and differential item functioning analysis. Results for the measurement invariance analysis (MI) marginally failed to support scalar invariance. Given criticism that MI is overly restrictive, Rasch analysis was used to test for uniform DIF, which supported invariance. Next, Bayesian analysis was used to investigate group differences. There was no difference between the cultural groups for non-self-determined solitude, but, adolescents from individualist cultures were less likely to engage in self-determined solitude. Results support the cross-cultural application of the MSS-SF, and point to a possible cultural bias against self-determined solitude in individualist cultures, despite its potential benefits.
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Cross-cultural differences in the character strength of citizenship in South Africa
- Du Plessis, Graham A., Saccaggi, Carolina F., De Bruin, Gideon P.
- Authors: Du Plessis, Graham A. , Saccaggi, Carolina F. , De Bruin, Gideon P.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Citizenship , South Africa , Cross-cultural , Character strengths
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17762 , uj:15922 , Citation: Du Plessis, G.A., Saccaggi, C.F. & De Bruin, G. 2015. Cross-cultural differences in the character strength of citizenship in South Africa. Psychology in society (PINS) 48:22-44
- Description: Abstract: The psychological conceptualisation of the character strength of citizenship as a trait ubiquitous across cultures is examined within the context of a diverse South African sample. The theoretically supposed elements common to the definition of citizenship as a dispositional trait (rather than a situational or cultural phenomenon) are examined by means of considering Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) conceptualisation of citizenship as espoused in their work on character strength and virtues. Using the Rasch model of item response theory the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) Value in Action Inventory (VIA) Citizenship scale was examined for fit and differential item functioning (DIF). A diverse sample of 902 South African university students who completed the Citizenship scale was examined for DIF as a function of self-asserted ethnicities and home language groups, which serve as indicators of culture within the South African context. The findings of the study suggest that while certain conceptual aspects of trait-based citizenship as espoused by Peterson and Seligman (2004) are common across the heterogeneous cultures (as defined by ethnicity and language group) examined, there is sound evidence that there are also qualitative distinctions that are exclusively a function of cultural grouping, suggesting difficulties with the exclusive conceptualisation of citizenship as an individual trait. The implications of these findings speak to the importance of considering citizenship as a nuanced and complex notion that requires further consideration in terms of the philosophical, theoretical and empirical qualification of its conceptualisation.
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- Authors: Du Plessis, Graham A. , Saccaggi, Carolina F. , De Bruin, Gideon P.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Citizenship , South Africa , Cross-cultural , Character strengths
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/17762 , uj:15922 , Citation: Du Plessis, G.A., Saccaggi, C.F. & De Bruin, G. 2015. Cross-cultural differences in the character strength of citizenship in South Africa. Psychology in society (PINS) 48:22-44
- Description: Abstract: The psychological conceptualisation of the character strength of citizenship as a trait ubiquitous across cultures is examined within the context of a diverse South African sample. The theoretically supposed elements common to the definition of citizenship as a dispositional trait (rather than a situational or cultural phenomenon) are examined by means of considering Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) conceptualisation of citizenship as espoused in their work on character strength and virtues. Using the Rasch model of item response theory the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) Value in Action Inventory (VIA) Citizenship scale was examined for fit and differential item functioning (DIF). A diverse sample of 902 South African university students who completed the Citizenship scale was examined for DIF as a function of self-asserted ethnicities and home language groups, which serve as indicators of culture within the South African context. The findings of the study suggest that while certain conceptual aspects of trait-based citizenship as espoused by Peterson and Seligman (2004) are common across the heterogeneous cultures (as defined by ethnicity and language group) examined, there is sound evidence that there are also qualitative distinctions that are exclusively a function of cultural grouping, suggesting difficulties with the exclusive conceptualisation of citizenship as an individual trait. The implications of these findings speak to the importance of considering citizenship as a nuanced and complex notion that requires further consideration in terms of the philosophical, theoretical and empirical qualification of its conceptualisation.
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Children's tool innovation across culture
- Neldner, Karri, Redshaw, Jonathan, Murphy, Sean, Tomaselli, Keyan, Jacqueline, Davis,, Dixson, Barnaby, Nielsen, Mark
- Authors: Neldner, Karri , Redshaw, Jonathan , Murphy, Sean , Tomaselli, Keyan , Jacqueline, Davis, , Dixson, Barnaby , Nielsen, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tool innovation , Cross-cultural , Innovation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/407171 , uj:34262 , Citation: Neldner, K. et al. 2019: Children's tool innovation across culture.
- Description: Abstract: Prior research suggests that human children lack an aptitude for tool innovation. However, children’s tool making must be explored across a broader range of tasks and across diverse cultural contexts before we can conclude that they are genuinely poor tool innovators. To this end, we investigated children’s ability to independently construct three new tools using distinct actions: adding, subtracting and reshaping. We tested 422 children across a broad age range from five geographic locations across South Africa (N = 126), Vanuatu (N = 190) and Australia (N = 106), which varied in their levels of exposure to Westernized culture. Children were shown a horizontal, transparent tube that had a sticker in its middle. Children were sequentially given each incomplete tool, which when accurately constructed could be used to push the sticker out of the tube. As predicted, older children were better at performing the innovation tasks than younger children across all cultures and innovation actions. We also found evidence for cultural variation: while all non‐Western groups performed similarly, the Western group of children innovated at higher rates. However, children who did not innovate often adopted alternate methods when using the tools that also led to success. This suggests that children’s innovation levels are influenced by the cultural environment, and highlights the flexibility inherent in human children’s tool use.
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- Authors: Neldner, Karri , Redshaw, Jonathan , Murphy, Sean , Tomaselli, Keyan , Jacqueline, Davis, , Dixson, Barnaby , Nielsen, Mark
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tool innovation , Cross-cultural , Innovation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/407171 , uj:34262 , Citation: Neldner, K. et al. 2019: Children's tool innovation across culture.
- Description: Abstract: Prior research suggests that human children lack an aptitude for tool innovation. However, children’s tool making must be explored across a broader range of tasks and across diverse cultural contexts before we can conclude that they are genuinely poor tool innovators. To this end, we investigated children’s ability to independently construct three new tools using distinct actions: adding, subtracting and reshaping. We tested 422 children across a broad age range from five geographic locations across South Africa (N = 126), Vanuatu (N = 190) and Australia (N = 106), which varied in their levels of exposure to Westernized culture. Children were shown a horizontal, transparent tube that had a sticker in its middle. Children were sequentially given each incomplete tool, which when accurately constructed could be used to push the sticker out of the tube. As predicted, older children were better at performing the innovation tasks than younger children across all cultures and innovation actions. We also found evidence for cultural variation: while all non‐Western groups performed similarly, the Western group of children innovated at higher rates. However, children who did not innovate often adopted alternate methods when using the tools that also led to success. This suggests that children’s innovation levels are influenced by the cultural environment, and highlights the flexibility inherent in human children’s tool use.
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