Children’s understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying disease prevention

• Published in: Cognitive development Vol. 74; p. 101563
• Main Authors: Degn, Phoebe, Fiber, Zoey, Sullivan, Jessica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Conceptual development; Disease prevention; Folk theories; Germ theory; Disease prevention; Folk theories; Conceptual development; Germ theory
• ISSN: 0885-2014
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2025.101563

What drives children’s early beliefs about disease transmission and prevention? We taught children (N = 152; 3;0–7;11) about three ailments (COVID-19, a novel disease Zerpox, bike-related injury) and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used to prevent them (facemasks, earmuffs, helmets). Children then saw pairs of characters and decided who was safer from [getting sick/hurt]. In a preregistered 2x3x2 within-subjects design, we manipulated whether each character wore PPE or not, whether they wore the correct PPE for the ailment, and whether they wore the PPE properly. Children displayed stronger knowledge of PPE for preventing injury than illness, although there were large age effects. Performance on COVID-19 trials was generally similar to Zerpox trials, suggesting similar reasoning about novel and more familiar diseases. We classified children’s performance based on the folk theories that might underlay their behavior, showing a strong reliance on theories other than germ theory in shaping performance. •We tested 3-to-7-year-old children’s understanding of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).•Children showed stronger knowledge of PPE for preventing injury than illness.•Children showed comparable knowledge of PPE for novel vs. more familiar illnesses.•In general, children prioritized the proper usage of PPE over having the correct PPE.•Older children showed a stronger understanding of disease transmission and prevention than did younger children.