Comparing proportions in different shapes and sizes!

For 2.5 - to 5-year-olds

This study will take place on a video call, live with a researcher! Clicking on the “Schedule a time to participate” button will send you to an online calendar where you can select a date and time that works for you. Once the call begins our researcher will show your child images of proportion amounts, like an orange and blue pie chart or orange and blue dots, and ask them to make decisions about them. For example, we will ask your child to compare proportion amounts, predict outcomes based on probability, or match proportions across different images.

Proportions come in so many different shapes and sizes, yet children and adults are often easily able to compare them! A single trip through the grocery store will have you estimating which of two trail mix packages in made up of more raisins, or how much flour you need to double your cake recipe. Previous research has shown that the format of the proportions you are judging has a big effect on the way you interpret them. In this study, we are interested in how people's ability to make decisions with proportions changes as children get older and when the proportions look different.

20-30 minutes

Two weeks after completing the study you will be sent a $5 gift card to Target, Amazon, or Mastercard. You will be compensated even if your child is unable to complete the whole study. However, we cannot compensate unless you attend the Zoom call with an age appropriate child, and we cannot compensate the participation of a single child more than once.