article
Sociocultural factors and the early manifestation of sociobility behavior among Baganda infants
Ethos • 2 (3) • Published In 1974 • Pages: 296-314
By: Kilbride, Philip L., Kilbride, Janet E..
Abstract
This is a longitudinal study of the influence of environment on psychomotor skills development among Bagandan infants. The study involved testing, observing, and interviewing parents of 50 infants during their first six months of life. Noting the recent literature demonstrating the precocity of African infants, the authors, one an ethnologist and the other a graduate student of education and childhood development, relate this early emergence of sociability to the adult social order and values. Although Kiganda social organization is stratified and marked with social inequalities, it is extremely fluid. Social mobility is based on one's ability to impress and attach oneself to more powerful patrons. For this purpose, Bugandans cultivate a code of social etiquette called MPISA. Children are encouraged to behave socially at an early age, which the authors argue is reflected in the early development of psychomotor skills as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Mental and Motor Development.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Types
- Ethnologist
- Social Scientist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- unknown
- Coverage Date
- unknown
- Coverage Place
- Uganda
- Notes
- Philip L. Kilbride and Janet E. Kilbride
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 312-314)
- LCCN
- 73643517
- LCSH
- Ganda (African people)