CHILDREN'S THINKING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY: A STUDY OF THE DEVELOPING AWARENESS OF A REPRESENTATIONAL MEDIUM.
Item
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Title
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CHILDREN'S THINKING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY: A STUDY OF THE DEVELOPING AWARENESS OF A REPRESENTATIONAL MEDIUM.
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Identifier
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AAI8222955
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identifier
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8222955
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Creator
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KOSE, GARY.
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Contributor
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Harry Beilin
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Date
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1982
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, General
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Abstract
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This study is concerned with the nature of representation and the effects of the media on the comprehension of pictorial information. It is argued that a psychological account of picture perception requires consideration of the perceiver's knowledge of the depicted content, and knowledge as well of the medium of expression. The study examines the characteristics of thought about the nature and functions of the photographic medium and its role in the comprehension of information contained in photographs. The influence of general cognitive abilities and specific experience with photography on this thought is also examined.;Children eight-and twelve-years of age were measured on a series of Piagetian tasks and distinguished on the basis of their participation in a school photography course. They were interviewed with regard to the nature of photography and were then asked to respond to a series of photographs. The children's responses to the interview and the photographs were coded into four general categories: discussing concerns about the contents depicted in the photographs, discussing the characteristics of the photographic medium, discussing the interaction of content and medium, and a discussion of the intention of the photographer.;The results indicate that when responding to interview questions, the eight-year-old children discuss either the depicted content or the characteristics of the medium. Difference in general cognitive skills does not influence their responses. Experience with photography increases the tendency to discuss medium limitation. When responding to the photographs, the eight-year-olds showed the strongest tendency to discuss the depicted content. Similar to their responses in the interview, cognitive skills had no effect and experience with photography increases the discussion of medium limitations.;The twelve-year-old children responded to the interview questions by discussing the interaction of content and medium. This tendency was strongest for the formal operational children. There was no effect for experience with photography. When responding to the photographs, these children vary their responses with differences in photographic style and demonstrated an ability to discuss the interaction of content and medium for certain types of photographs. Experience with photography and differences in cognitive level both affected the type of responses given.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
