Highchair philosophers: the impact of seating context-dependent exploration on children's naming biases

Developmental Science
Lynn K PerryJohanna B Burdinie

Abstract

We examine developmental interactions between context, exploration, and word learning. Infants show an understanding of how nonsolid substances are categorized that does not reliably transfer to learning how these categories are named in laboratory tasks. We argue that what infants learn about naming nonsolid substances is contextually bound - most nonsolids that toddlers are familiar with are foods and thus, typically experienced when sitting in a highchair. We asked whether 16-month-old children's naming of nonsolids would improve if they were tested in that typical context. Children tested in the highchair demonstrated better understanding of how nonsolids are named. Furthermore, context-based differences in exploration drove differences in the properties attended to in real-time. We discuss what implications this context-dependency has for understanding the development of an ontological distinction between solids and nonsolids. Together, these results demonstrate a developmental cascade between context, exploration, and word learning.

References

Oct 1, 1990·Cognitive Psychology·S J Lederman, R L Klatzky
Sep 1, 1989·Developmental Psychobiology·J Butler, C Rovee-Collier
Jul 1, 1968·Journal of Experimental Psychology·M I Posner, S W Keele
Aug 10, 2001·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·S M Smith, E Vela
Mar 24, 2005·Psychological Review·Eliana Colunga, Linda B Smith
Jul 1, 2008·Journal of Child Language·Larissa K SamuelsonBrandi N Dobbertin
Feb 24, 2009·Cognitive Psychology·Peggy LiSusan Carey
Apr 17, 2009·Psychological Science·Susan J HesposLance J Rips
Nov 16, 2010·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Haley A Vlach, Catherine M Sandhofer
Nov 30, 2011·Frontiers in Psychology·Lynn K Perry, Larissa K Samuelson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 6, 2015·Frontiers in Psychology·Lynn K Perry
Feb 18, 2015·Frontiers in Psychology·Jessica S Horst, Vanessa R Simmering
Jan 9, 2016·Psychological Science·Susan J HesposLance J Rips
Dec 10, 2020·Pilot and Feasibility Studies·Taren SwindleGeoff M Curran
Nov 10, 2020·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Magali KrzemienChristelle Maillart

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.