Development of Children's Knowledge About Unconsciousness

Flavell, John H., Green, Frances L., Flavell, Eleanor R., &Lin, Nancy T. (1999). Development of children's knowledge about unconsciousness. Child Development, Vol70(2), 369-412.

The authors, researchers at Stanford University, did three different experiments to find out adult intentions about consciousness and unconsciousness and compare them with children of different ages. The experimenter asked adults and children of ages 5,6,7,8, and 10 years whether sleeping people who are not dreaming could see, hear, listen, think, wish, pretend, and feel things; know that they are asleep and know whether they are or are not involved with primary consciousness like perceptions and thoughts; intentionally try to present mental or physical actions. In the results, people do not engage in conscious mental activities when unconscious is still developing during the late middle childhood years. Children are less aware than adults of conscious mental states such as thoughts and percepts. The authors conclude article saying a developing understanding of consciousness may help the development of unconsciousness.

Valdez and Zulema (2011). Political participation among Latinos in the United States: The effect of group identity and consciousness. Social Science Quarterly, Vol92(2), 466-482.

The authors, researchers at Texas A&M University and College Station, use data from the 2007 Latino National Survey to find out that group identity and consciousness affect Latinos' political participation in the United States. Result indicates that Latinos who identified themselves as American are more likely to engage in political action. However, group consciousness among national, ethnic, panethnic, or racial identified Latinos changes this effect. Regarding group consciousness, a perception of discrimination lowers political action among all Latinos. The relationship between group identity and consciousness differently influences Latinos' political activities.

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