Coughing Santa, Tooth Fairy Glitter, Presents from Elves: Children’s Beliefs and Skepticism Towards Fictional Characters

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Children’s developing understanding of magical and supernatural figures is often hypothesized as a leap from belief to disbelief. Yet recent research shows transitioning from credence to skepticism is a gradual process corresponding with awareness of the physical reality of the world. Therefore, careful investigation of reasoning about fictional targets can provide a lens to children’s larger understanding of skepticism, truth, and knowledge. This symposium explores children’s paths and subtleties of belief about fictional and supernatural beings including Santa Claus, God, and the Tooth Fairy.

In Paper 1, findings from 37 children and 385 adults show independent of age, children report testimony from others- either in response to questions, or given freely - was the most common way they learned about Santa. Children reported gradual change much more often than abrupt understanding; adults did as well, although they reported abrupt change more often than children. Paper 2 discusses the role of adult promotion to overcome children’s natural skepticism. Findings from 176 children point to the importance of culturally-based rituals in fostering belief across a wide variety of supernatural and real beings. Paper 3 reports that for 218 children questioned, more human-like and anthropomorphized fictional characters were considered more susceptible to COVID-19. Children also believed fictional beings needed to wear masks and socially distance. The Discussant will consider how children’s belief structure is not as simple as “belief” or “skepticism.” Children show patterns of increasing rationality, strong ties to reality, and conviction based on the testimony, provided experiences, and guidance of adults.

Sub Unit

• Cognitive Processes

Chair

• Thalia Raquel Goldstein, George Mason University

Discussant

• Jacqueline D Woolley, University of Texas at Austin

Individual Presentations

• The Process of Disbelief: Santa Claus as a Model - Presenting Author: Candice Mills, The University of Texas at Dallas; Non-Presenting Author: Thalia Raquel Goldstein, George Mason University; Non-Presenting Author: Alessandra Stagni, University of Texas at Dallas; Non-Presenting Author: Pallavi Kanumuru, George Mason University

• The Child’s Pantheon: Children’s Hierarchical Belief Structure in Real and Non-Real Figures. - Presenting Author: Rohan Kapitany, University of Queensland; Non-Presenting Author: Nicole L Nelson, Brock University; Non-Presenting Author: Emily R Burdett, University of nott

• Stay away, Santa: Children’s beliefs about the impact of COVID-19 on real and fictional beings. - Presenting Author: Jessica Sullivan, Skidmore College; Non-Presenting Author: Katharine Tillman, University of Texas at Austin; Non-Presenting Author: Andrew E Shtulman, Occidental College