The Process of Disbelief: Santa Claus as a Model

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

Abstract

Children’s ability to distinguish reality and fiction is a pivotal cognitive gain in the first few years of life. While early theorists hypothesized this as a difficult and slow task, most empirical research shows that children display early, natural abilities in distinguishing pretense from reality (e.g. Harris, 2000; Woolley & Cox, 2007). However, there is a specific category of pretense where children have problems: reasoning about culturally promoted fictional characters, such as Santa Claus, where evidence is provided for their reality status (e.g. Prentice et al 1978; 1979). Although children eventually recognize Santa is a fictional being, the process by which this disbelief begins and eventually becomes fully realized has been understudied. Understanding the process of overcoming the testimony of parents and evidence from American culture at large can shine a light on developing abilities in skepticism, belief, and knowledge. Despite immense popular interest and research dating back 40 years, no study has directly asked children, just as they are disbelieving in Santa, their process of disbelieving and any emotional aftermath.

We interviewed children on their process of disbelief. To date, data from 37 children (50% female, 50% male; age range: 6.6 to 17.2) has been coded. Average age of disbelief was 7.7, with a range was 4 - 12 years. The majority of children reported realizing Santa was not real via testimony from others, gained either from asking questions or from someone sharing information about Santa (65%). Children also frequently mentioned experiences (46%) and occasionally inconsistencies with science (16%) or rituals (5%). A full 68% reported their discovery involved gradual change, while 38% reported an abrupt component. The most frequently mentioned emotion in the aftermath of finding out was sadness (38%), but a number of children reported some positive emotions, like excitement (35%). Anger was rarely mentioned (10%). There was no clear relation between reporting a gradual or abrupt transition and age of discovery, nor between those variables and either emotions or trust in parents.

However, it is possible that children whose parents are willing to participate in a study about disbelief in Santa may have had a more positive experience with the transition to disbelief than children in general. To investigate this possibility, we surveyed 385 adults. Adults recalled stopping belief in Santa around age 8.2, with significant variability. Like the child participants, the majority of adults reported having found out about Santa through testimony (56%), with fewer reporting discovering the truth on their own through experience or reasoning (34%). Here, 52% reported discovering about Santa gradually and 43% reported an abrupt transition. Compared to child participants, adults were more likely to report some sadness at the discovery. Reports of anger were rare, but adults who found out abruptly were somewhat more likely to report anger than those who found out gradually.

Altogether, the data supports the existence of different paths children can take to discover Santa is a fictional character. Ongoing coding examines associations between age, emotional aftermath, and mode of discovery.

Authors

• Candice Mills, The University of Texas at Dallas
  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
  Non-Presenting Author