Children's Experience of Taking Care of Rabbits and Understanding of "Animal Mind".

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  • Fujisaki Ayuko
    Graduate School of Human Culture, Nara Women's University:(present address)ATR Network Information Laboratories

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  • 幼児におけるウサギの飼育経験とその心的機能の理解
  • ヨウジ ニ オケル ウサギ ノ シイク ケイケン ト ソノ シンテキ キノウ ノ リカイ

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Six-year olds (N = 64), 5-year olds (N = 60) and 4-year olds (N = 29) were videotaped in daily activities at their preschool, and were interviewed about their understanding of the "animal mind." The videos showed that the most frequent activities of children at the rabbit hutch were watching and feeding the animals. There were age differences in children's interactions with animals. For example, the four-year olds, more frequently than the five- and six-year olds, went after the animals and threw food to them. Six-year olds were most likely to clean the hutch and speak to the animals. The results of the interviews indicated that many children said they recognized rabbits' primary emotions, desires, and beliefs. However, there was also a limit on attributions of animal's mental states. The findings suggest that children gradually accord animals a social existence.

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