Abstract
We examine the opportunities children have for interacting with others and the extent to which they are the focus of others’ visual attention in five societies where extended family communities are the norm. We compiled six video-recorded datasets (two from one society) collected by a team of anthropologists and psychologists conducting long-term research in each society. The six datasets include video observations of children among the Yasawas (Fiji), Tanna (Vanuatu), Tsimane (Bolivia), Huatasani (Peru), and Aka (infants and children 4–12 years old; Central African Republic). Each dataset consists of a series of videos of children ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years in their everyday contexts. We coded 998 videos and identified with whom children had opportunities to interact (male and female adults and children) as well as the number of individuals and the proportion of observed time that children spent with these individuals. We also examined the proportion of time children received direct visual gaze (indicating attention to the child). Our results indicate that children less than 5 years old spend the majority of their observed time in the presence of one female adult. This is the case across the five societies. In the three societies from which we have older children (Aka, Yasawa, Peru), we find a clear shift around 5 years of age, with children spending the majority of their time with other children. We also coded the presence or absence of a primary caregiver and found that caregivers remained within 2 ft of target children until 7 years of age. When they were in the company of a primary caregiver, children older than seven spent the majority of their time more than 2 ft from the caregiver. We found a consistent trend across societies with decreasing focal attention on the child with increasing child age. These findings show (1) remarkable consistency across these societies in children’s interaction opportunities and (2) that a developmental approach is needed to fully understand human development because the social context is dynamic across the lifespan. These data can serve as a springboard for future research examining social development in everyday contexts.
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Notes
1 ft = ca. 30.5 cm. Distances measured in ft are reported here in ft.
Although multiple variable intervals could be coded at the same time, there were six mutually exclusive pairs. For example, the presence of 1 female adult on screen could not be coded if 2 or more female adults were on screen (and vice versa). Similarly, the presence of 1 male child could not be coded if 2 or more male children were on screen (and vice versa). However, the presence of 2 or more female adults would not impact the coding of any other category, such as 1 female child, 2 or more female children, etc. (and vice versa). Similarly, the presence of 1 male child could not be coded if 2 or more male children were on screen (and vice versa). However, the presence of 2 or more female adults would not impact the coding of any other category, such as 1 female child, or 2 or more female children, etc.
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Participants, experts, and leaders in the communities where the research was conducted.
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This project was supported by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant (31-R640044) to Tanya Broesch and a Jacobs Foundation Young Scholar Grant to Chris von Rueden and Tanya Broesch.
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Broesch, T., Carolan, P.L., Cebioğlu, S. et al. Opportunities for Interaction. Hum Nat 32, 208–238 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-021-09393-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-021-09393-w