Abstract
Can object names and functions act as cues to categories for infants? In Study 1, 14- and 18-month-old infants were shown novel category exemplars along with a function, a name, or no cues. Infants were then asked to "find another one," choosing between 2 novel objects (1 from the familiar category and the other not). Infants at both ages were more likely to select the category match in the function than in the no-cue condition. However, only at 18 months did naming the objects enhance categorization. Study 2 shows that names can facilitate categorization for 14-month-olds as well when a hint regarding the core meaning of the objects (the function of a single familiarization object) is provided.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 948-957 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Developmental psychology |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2002 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Demography
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Life-span and Life-course Studies