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Is the Scariest Monster Also the Least Real? An Examination of Children's Reality Classifications

1985; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 146; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00221325.1985.9923442

1940-0896

Richard S. Prawat, Ariel H. Anderson, Walter G. Hapkiewicz,

Themes in Literature Analysis

Abstract This study examines the extent to which children (N m = 60) at different ages master the reality status of fantasy figures for “affective” as opposed to cognitive reasons—that is, as a defense against fright and uncertainty. Thus, pictures of monsters taken from a widely acclaimed children's book were used to elicit thoughts regarding the fantasy/reality distinction. Contrary to prediction, nonreality did not equate with scariness for younger subjects; nor was there an age difference in the extent to which subjects focused on global, affectively significant features when justifying their reality classifications of the fantasy figures. Overall, young children appeared no less “objective” when making judgments of this sort than did older children and adults (N = 20).