Assessing children’s hazard perception using the photo projective method.

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the differences between children's hazard perception and those of adults, using the photo projective method (PPM) developed by Noda (1988). PPM is a new technique based on a projective method that captures subjects' perceived environments through photographs. Thus, this method helps us understand an individual's internal mental world. To evaluate the patterns of children's hazard perception and safety awareness, we first asked 23 children (4^th graders) and 19 mothers to take photographs of hazard points or areas that caused anxiety in the children during their commute to school. The results show that children perceived traffic hazards as being less hazardous than adults did. Second, to assess the development of children's safety awareness, we asked 139 children (1^st trough 6^th graders) and 106 adults, the children's parents, to take photographs of hazard points or areas that caused anxiety in the children during their commute to school. The results revealed certain patterns of the children's developmental process relative to hazard perception and safety awareness. The differences in the photographs reflect the development of hazard perception ability in the children. It was observed that children above the ages of 9 and 10 have perception patterns similar to those of adults.