Date of Award
Spring 5-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
EVMS School of Health Professions
Program/Concentration
Art Therapy
Committee Director
Sarah Deaver
Committee Member
Cheryl Doby-Copeland
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if and how culture influences children’s drawing styles. In particular, the study compared the human figure drawings of Indian, Indian-American, and American children using a modified form of the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) (Gantt & Tabone, 1998).
Twenty-five second graders (aged 7 and 8 years) and twenty-five fourth graders (aged 10 and 11 years) participated from the school in India. Of the 25 second graders who participated, 13 were male and 12 were female. The mean age was 7.2 years. Of the 25 fourth graders who participated, 14 were male and 11 were female with a mean age of 9.1 years. Fifty drawings were randomly selected from the EVMS art therapy program database of children’s drawings to represent the American population. Twenty-five second graders participated. Fourteen were male and 11 were female with a mean age of 8 years. Twenty-five fourth graders participated. Eleven were male and 14 were female with a mean age of 10 years. Ten Indian-American second grade children participated, with two males and eight females with the mean age of 7.4 years. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and MANOVAs.
This study found that cultural sensitivity is needed when administering and evaluating drawings created by children influenced by non-western cultures. Significant differences were noticed on Scales II, III, IV, and V between Indian and American children. When comparing the Indian-American, American, and Indian second graders’ drawings significant differences were found on various scales, as well.
Rights
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DOI
10.25777/re15-z914
Recommended Citation
Palliparambil, Ashy.
"Culture’s Impact on Drawing Styles: A Comparison of Indian, Indian-American, and American Children’s Human Figure Drawings"
(2011). Master of Science (MS), Thesis, EVMS School of Health Professions, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/re15-z914
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/evmshealthprofessions_etds/93