Abstract

ALVAREZ, Leonardo Yovany. Children and adolescents' mental representations about Government in the city of Bucaramanga. Rev.latinoam.cienc.soc.niñez juv [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.2, pp.883-896. ISSN 1692-715X.

Abstract: The objective of this non-experimental, cross-sectional, genetically-structural survey was to establish the mental representations about Government held by a group of 55 participants aged between 7 and 17 years of age, in the city of Bucaramanga. Every participant was questioned using a clinical Piagetian interview. The answers were classified and analyzed in order to identify themes of content and structure (related to intra- and inter- chronological periods). It was found that children between 7 to 9 years old have a protective, moral and presidential comprehension of government. Between 9 to 11 years old, government is understood as the three branches of power division with the presidential role given emphasis. Between 12 to 15 years of age, the government is understood as a group of people led by the president who organizes the social life of a nation under moral and social law and as completing Constitution requirements. Children between Ch15 and 17 years of age, the government is understood as being divided into three branches of public power and as guaranteeing the rights to the nation and its citizens; people are empowered and reflect and decide on public affairs, in relation with concepts of governance.

Keywords : governance; mental representation; clinical method; government.

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