DEVELOPMENTAL SHIFTS IN THE PLACE PREFERENCES OF BOYS (AGED 8–16 YEARS)

Little is known about how and why children's preferences for different places changes as they get older. This study is a preliminary examination of developmental shifts in boys' place preferences. Boys aged 8 to 16 years ( n=155) attending a residential summer camp were asked to indicate their favorite place in the camp and why they liked that place. The responses were categorized using a four-part classification scheme (land use, social, commercial and aesthetic/cognitive). Younger boys tended to choose places valued for a particular land use, while older boys tended to choose places for their aesthetic or cognitive qualities. A new developmental model of place preferences in boys is discussed.