Size and emotion or depth and emotion? Evidence, using Matryoshka (Russian) dolls, of children using physical depth as a proxy for emotional charge

Abstract

Background: The size and emotion effect is the tendency for children to draw people and other objects with a positive emotional charge larger than those with a negative or neutral charge. Here we explored the novel idea that drawing size might be acting as a proxy for depth (proximity). Methods: Forty-two children (aged 3-11 years) chose, from 2 sets of Matryoshka (Russian) dolls, a doll to represent a person with positive, negative or neutral charge, which they placed in front of themselves on a sheet of A3 paper. Results: We found that the children used proximity and doll size, to indicate emotional charge. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the notion that in drawings, children are using size as a proxy for physical closeness (proximity), as they attempt with varying success to put positive charged items closer to, or negative and neutral charge items further away from, themselves.

Evaluating the Impact of a Humane Education Summer-Camp Program on School-Aged Children's Relationships with Companion Animals

“…This approach is consistent with research showing that the distance can meaningfully represent the child-companion animal emotional bond or attachment; that is, the smaller the distance between the child and the animal, the greater the emotional attachment or closeness between the two (e.g., Kidd and Kidd 1995;Garrett 2003, 2004;Smith et al 2005;Dunn, Taylor and Baguley 2013).…”

“…Lastly, the drawing measure used in this study was innovative and useful in highlighting children's representations of the emotional quality of their relationships with companion animals (e.g., Kidd and Kidd 1995;Dunn, Taylor and Baguley 2013); we recognize, though, that this might constitute a study limitation, as the measure has not been validated. However, we suggest that when used alongside more standardized measures, as done in this study, children's drawings can help to expand our understanding of how children mentally represent the emotional attachment or closeness they share with their companion animal (e.g., feelings, knowledge, attitudes).…”