ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a study of cognitive development in two groups of Australian Aborigines differing in amount of European contact, and to relate the rate of development of different areas of cognitive development to cultural-ecological characteristics. In de Lacey’s study, the difference in European contact between the two Aboriginal samples was extreme. The two groups lived in widely different areas of Australia, the low-contact group having retained much of its traditions and language. Whereas the high-contact group had become completely acculturated, shedding all aspects of Aboriginal values and culture, speaking the English language only, attending the same schools as their European peers, and living largely the life of poor Europeans. The Australian Aborigines depend traditionally on hunting and food gathering, travelling for long distances in a relatively barren environment. Related ‘cultural aids’ are also present: Aboriginal artistic traditions are well-known and child-rearing practices are generally described as very permissive.
