Research Program

Theme1: Socialization of behavior and reorganization of the behavioral environment

Caregivers intersubjectively regulate the regularity of children’s behavior from birth (Malloch & Trevarthen 2009) and socialize their behavior. In the process, children acquire behaviors that reflect the history and culture of their society, while at the same time updating and revising their historical-cultural framework.

Theme2: Embodiment of language and restructuring of language environment

Children embody historically and culturally constructed language using a variety of semiotic resources (Goodwin 2000), and as they become familiar with the various levels of language structure, they generate new knowledge and modify that structure.

Theme3: Internalization of institution and restructuring of institutional environment

Children internalize historically and culturally shaped institutions by being respected by others, but when they do not receive appropriate respect, they attempt to change the institutions themselves through the struggle for recognition (Honneth 1996).

Furthermore, based on our understanding of the above three themes and their interaction, we support the mutual construction of new microhabitats and habitus for a better future for children in an ever-changing society.

Research Areas and Research Questions

Botswana: Reorganization of “Health” in the context of settlement and agglomeration (Resettlement)

In Botswana, we will focus on the reorganization of health-related CCI due to the resettlement of the G|ui and Gǁana, who for many years led a hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the Kalahari Desert. Botswana has a history of overcoming the HIV epidemic and now, like Japan, is confronting the corona disaster. In collaboration with University of Botswana, which has a MoU and student exchange agreement with Kyoto University, the project will promote action research on child health promotion. Specifically, regarding the socialization of behavior, we will analyze the transformation of children’s hygiene behavior in the settlement following the construction of additional latrines. Regarding the embodiment of language, we will implement health education using storytelling and examine its effectiveness. Regarding the internalization of institution, we will clarify the generational differences in health concepts that occurred with the introduction of modernization policies.

Namibia: Restructuring of “Inter-ethnic Relations” with the revival of traditional authority (Inter-ethnic negotiations)

In Namibia, the !Xun and ǂAkhoe, regional minorities and hunter-gatherers, and the Owambo, majority agro-pastoralists, have been negotiating for centuries. We will focus on how this relationship has been restructured since Namibia’s independence in 1990. Therefore, we will conduct action research with graduate students from the University of Namibia and Kyoto University, where co-tutelle is promoted, to facilitate inter-ethnic exchange among children. On the behavioral aspect, we will identify changes in children’s eating habits due to the promotion of agricultural practices and weaning foods. On the language aspect, we will analyze the practices of multilingualism in early childhood education, which is aimed at reconciliation among ethnic groups. On the institutional aspect, we will discuss the reorganization of children’s identities in line with the revitalization of traditional culture.

Cameroon: Restructuring of “Ecological Knowledge” with the introduction of natural resource management policies (Division of tropical rainforest)

In Cameroon, we will focus on how Baka hunter-gatherer are reorganizing their ecological knowledge (EK) following the division of the rainforest into national parks and commercial logging areas. In the area, there is a field station (FS) of Kyoto University, which has resumed dispatching researchers. This project will also use the FS as a base to conduct action research to revitalize children’s acquisition of EK. On the behavioral aspect, we will implement temporary childcare during women’s subsistence activities and clarify the effects on multiple-child care, which has been the focus of many researchers on child-rearing and attachment. On the language aspect, we will conduct classes on traditional knowledge for caregivers and clarify its impact on children’s acquisition of EK. On the institutional aspect, we will discuss the impact of the introduction of welfare policies on traditional child care and care for children with disabilities.

Overall

Furthermore, synthesizing these three cases, we will discuss the process of reorganization of the behavioral, language, and institutional environments in response to macro environmental changes, and the general characteristics of the process by which young children develop intersubjectivity through socialization of behavior, embodiment of language, and internalization of institution.

Expected Results and Significance

• Overcome the weaknesses of developmental research based on methodological individualism through a microscopic analysis of CCI. Elucidate the interdependence of the developmental process of culturally mediated intersubjectivity and the process of modification of cultural frameworks and environments through action.
• The communication research of the principal investigators has been integrated and developed from an ecological perspective to comprehensively theorize the origins of sociality. And we will develop and establish an academic field that bridges anthropology, psychology, linguistics, sociology, economics, and other fields.
• To help build a better future by presenting creative options for resolving social conflicts associated with macro-environmental changes in the three regions. We will study with African societies that have faced various difficulties from early on, but are still growing rapidly.