Development of size modification of human figure drawings in spatial axes systems of varying complexity.

In the present study, intraindividual development of the ability to modify the size of the human figure drawing was investigated. In a longitudinal data set with repeated measurement at ages 7, 9, and 12 it was shown that size was reduced between 7 and 9 years. Three factors were found to be responsible for size variation of the human figure drawing: The larger the figure initially, the more complex the level of the spatial axes system and the more persons in the picture, the greater size reduction.