Abstract

MACEDO, Lídia Suzana Rocha de  and  SPERB, Tania Mara. The development of the narrative mode of thinking in preadolescents. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2017, vol.69, n.1, pp. 151-165. ISSN 1809-5267.

This study investigates the development of the narrative mode of thinking in 33 preadolescents (10-13 years) by analyzing their autobiographical narratives collected through individual interviews. Two characteristics of the narrative mode of thinking were analyzed: the structural complexity of the narrative and the presence of socio-psychological aspects. Cluster analysis revealed that the sample could be divided into two groups with different development levels, one more advanced than the other. The variables that most contributed to forming these groups were: the use of a simpler plot focusing on characters' intentions or of a more complex plot focusing on characters' intentions or making interpretations about them; the attempt of interpreting experiences; and the description of the characters according to their physical-demographic or intentional characteristics. Results show that preadolescence represents the beginning of the transition to a more interpretative type of thinking.

Keywords : Narrative; Cognitive development; Preadolescence.

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