Magical feeling and thinking in childhood and adolescence: a developmental perspective

This article presents a critique and modification of the understanding of magical thinking as it is taken for granted and has influenced developmental theories of faith or religion and religious education. It is argued that magic is not the world view of children only. Magic cannot be confined to the early stages of development. It remains one of the forms of logic in adolescence and adulthood. This point of view is supported by the recent discussion on magic in ethnology. Moreover, recent reflection and research in developmental theory suggests a revision of the devaluation of magical thinking. This has implications for religious education: to pay attention to and to nurture the continuity and the transformation of magical thinking.

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Heinz Streib

Dr Heinz Streib is a lecturer (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter) in Practical Theology and Religious Education at Frankfurt University (Johann Wolfgang Goethe‐Universität, Fachbereich Evang. Theologie). His article, ‘Autobiographical Reflection and Faith Development: Prospects for Religious Education’, appeared in Vol. 14 (1991) of this journal.