Adults' Understanding of Child Development

Abstract

230 adults estimated the ages at which children and adolescents ages 1 to 16 years could perform certain tasks like, “Say the months of the year backwards” and “Ride a bicycle.” Nearly two-thirds of the participants consistently underestimated the age at which young people could perform. A total “correct” score, computed for each participant, formed a normal distribution. This score was used as a criterion measure for a series of multiple regressions. The strongest predictor was the extent to which people had regular contact with children, indicating the role of experience.