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Relations of Divergent Thinking and Intelligence Test Scores With Social and Nonsocial Make-Believe Play of Preschool Children USPHS

Author(s):
Johnson, James E.
Publication Year:
1976
Report Number:
RB-76-03
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
17
Subject/Key Words:
United States Public Health Service (USPHS), Wayne State University, Cognitive Ability, Disadvantaged Youth, Divergent Thinking, Intelligence Tests, Preschool Children, Pretend Play

Abstract

Test estimates of intelligence and divergent thinking are compared with observations of social and nonsocial makebelieve play in a sample of 63 socially and economically disadvantaged preschool children. Controlling for the effects of age, indices of cognitive ability correlated positively and significantly with social make-believe play but not with solitary make-believe play. Uses Task performance scored for fanciful uses, but not for common uses, related to social fantasy play. Results suggest that social interaction is an important component in the relationship of fantasy play to cognitive development. A component of divergent thinking related to metaphorical or fantasy production appears to be a useful predictor of the propensity for sociodramatic play. (17pp.)

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