Infant categorization as a dynamic process linked to memory

Royal Society Open Science
Nadja AlthausKim Plunkett

Abstract

Recency effects are well documented in the adult and infant literature: recognition and recall memory are better for recently occurring events. We explore recency effects in infant categorization, which does not merely involve memory for individual items, but the formation of abstract category representations. We present a computational model of infant categorization that simulates category learning in 10-month-olds. The model predicts that recency effects outweigh previously reported order effects for the same stimuli. According to the model, infant behaviour at test should depend mainly on the identity of the most recent training item. We evaluate these predictions in a series of experiments with 10-month-old infants. Our results show that infant behaviour confirms the model's prediction. In particular, at test infants exhibited a preference for a category outlier over the category average only if the final training item had been close to the average, rather than distant from it. Our results are consistent with a view of categorization as a highly dynamic process where the end result of category learning is not the overall average of all stimuli encountered, but rather a fluid representation that moves depending on moment-to-...Continue Reading

References

Jun 1, 1986·Journal of Child Language·K Roberts, F D Horowitz
Jun 1, 1969·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·L B Cohen
Sep 1, 1983·Memory & Cognition·E H Cornell, L I Bergstrom
Jun 1, 1996·Cognition·J M Mandler, L McDonough
Apr 27, 2001·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·F G. Ashby, S W. Ell
Nov 15, 2001·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Denis Mareschal, Paul C. Quinn
Jul 12, 2002·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Sylvain Sirois, Denis Mareschal
Jul 31, 2002·Child Development·Sabina Pauen
Sep 18, 2003·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Denis MareschalAgnes Volein
Sep 10, 2004·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Robert M FrenchPaul C Quinn
Jan 26, 2005·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·F Gregory Ashby, Jeffrey B O'Brien
May 22, 2007·Cognition·Kim PlunkettLeslie B Cohen
Jul 3, 2007·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Kristine A Kovack-Lesh, Lisa M Oakes
Jul 6, 2010·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·James L McClellandLinda B Smith
Jun 1, 2009·Cognitive Science·Valentina GliozziKim Plunkett
Mar 16, 2013·Journal of Cognition and Development : Official Journal of the Cognitive Development Society·Lisa M Oakes, Kristine A Kovack-Lesh
Nov 1, 2010·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·David H Rakison, Yevdokiya Yermolayeva
Jan 19, 2016·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Nadja Althaus, Gert Westermann
Oct 1, 2000·Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies·Beverly J RoderAnne Marie Sasseville
Nov 19, 2020·Royal Society Open Science·Nadja AlthausKim Plunkett
Jan 1, 2005·Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies·Lisa M Oakes, Rebecca J Ribar

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 19, 2020·Royal Society Open Science·Nadja AlthausKim Plunkett

❮ 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.