ERIC Number: EJ798856
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Aug
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0010-0285
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Folkbiology Meets Microbiology: A Study of Conceptual and Behavioral Change
Au, Terry Kit-fong; Chan, Carol K. K.; Chan, Tsz-kit; Cheung, Mike W. L.; Ho, Johnson Y. S.; Ip, Grace W. M.
Cognitive Psychology, v57 n1 p1-19 Aug 2008
Health education can offer a valuable window onto conceptual and behavioral change. In Study 1, we mapped out 3rd-grade Chinese children's beliefs about causes of colds and flu and ways they can be prevented. We also explored older adults' beliefs as a possible source of the children's ideas. In Study 2, we gave 3rd- and 4th-grade Chinese children either a conventional cold/flu education program or an experimental "Think Biology" program that focused on a biological causal mechanism for cold/flu transmission. The "Think Biology" program led children to reason about cold/flu causation and prevention more scientifically than the conventional program, and their reasoning abilities dovetailed with their mastery of the causal mechanism. Study 3, a modified replication of Study 2, found useful behavioral change as well as conceptual change among children who received the "Think Biology" program and documented coherence among knowledge enrichment, conceptual change, and behavioral change. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Education, Children, Microbiology, Behavior Change, Grade 3, Grade 4, Prevention, Beliefs, Older Adults, Biology, Program Descriptions, Thinking Skills, Folk Culture
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A