Two Tests of Piaget's Equilibration Model: A Replication and an Extension

Abstract

Pairs of children at different levels of concept development were given problems to discuss that reflected the differences in their thinking. Their task was to arrive at a common answer to each of the problems. In Study I, the children (average age 9;1 years) were divided into those who conserved area and those who did not. For each of two problems, the joint answer was significantly more often that of the conserver. In Study II, the children (average age 7;2 years) were divided into those with a predominantly objective moral orientation and those with a predominantly subjective moral orientation. For each of two story-pairs, the answer agreed upon was significantly more often that of the child with the subjective orientation. The results of both studies were consistent with a prediction derived from Piaget's model of equilibration.