ABSTRACT
This chapter explores differences between German and Brazilian latency children in their socio-cultural identity, emotional organization, and the quality of their identification with parental figures, using a standardized semi-projective play assessment—MacArthur Story Stem Battery (MSSB). The MSSB is a video-based semi-projective doll-play technique, where stories with moral and/or interpersonal conflicts are presented to the child. The story-stems were developed to elicit children’s narratives about specific themes, although the children were free to add new themes according to their response and creativity. The chapter identifies cultural patterns and related mental representations of children. It aims to assess parents’ expectations of their child as well as the parents’ cultural filter role. The chapter also aims to assess possible cultural differences in defensive processes in the latency period. These may be important in stabilizing the child internally and in promoting their integration into the social environment.
