The Development of the Concept of God in Children.

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to determine if the development of the concept of God in children is compatible with general cognitive stage development. Ss were 180 children, 5–16 years of age, representing three religious orientations. Each child responded to a series of questions in a clinical-interview format. The results indicate that the development of the concept of God in children parallels Piaget's general stages of cognitive development. The significance of these findings is discussed in terms of the differentiation of religious training/orientation.