Decreasing variability in the development of graphic production

Abstract

Several recent theories of development have begun to recognise the importance of variability in mechanisms of change. The present study’s aim was to map variability in the drawing process. We examined changes in cognitive and biomechanical factors that influence drawing behaviour by investigating how simple shapes and complex pictures are drawn. In order to assess changes in variability with age across individuals, children (4- to 7-year-olds) and adults copied a series of geometric shapes and more complex images. In order to assess changes in variability with age within individuals, participants also made repeated copies of simple shapes and characters. Overall, both types of variability decreased with age. It is suggested that increasing biomechanical efficiency and enculturated drawing conventions contribute to these decreases.