Human Figure Drawings as Indicators of Value Development among Thai Children

Abstract

Use of children's drawings as an approach to the study of social and cultural values of national groups is described. Support for the “value hypothesis” that children tend to draw the kind of person they admire or one who is favorably viewed by society is provided through a study of 500 drawings by eight- to thirteen-year-old boys and girls in Thailand. Findings indicate general preference for modern dress, oriental facial features, and smiling faces. Oriental features and traditional dress occur most often among drawings of women by boys, while girls stress Caucasian features in their drawings of men. Both sexes ascribe religious content more often to drawings of women and represent more men in diversified social roles. Areas of possible future cross-cultural collaboration are suggested and discussed.

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