Hostname: page-component-6898cfcb55-kwdml Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-11T07:19:18.945Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Inferences and semantic development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Paul Harris
Paul Harris
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Lancaster
Get accessRights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Three experiments with children between 5 and 7 years are described. It is shown that nominal predication of an unknown word by a superordinate term enables young children to make appropriate inferences concerning its attributes. The provision of distinguishing attributes also permits the child to differentiate the unfamiliar word from hyponyms of the superordinate. The results are discussed in relation to semantic development and reasoning in the young child.

Information

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , April 1975, pp. 143 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

Bryant, P. E. (1974). Perception and understanding in young children. London: Methuen.Google Scholar
Collins, A. & Quillian, M. R. (1969). Retrieval time from semantic memory. JVLVB 8. 204–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Howe, H. E. Jr. & Hillman, D. (1973). The acquisition of semantic restrictions in children. JVLVB 12. 132–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Inhelder, B. & Piaget, J. (1958). The growth of logical thinking. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
Inhelder, B. & Piaget, J. (1964). The early growth of logic in the child. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
Leech, G. N. (1974). Semantics. Harmondsworth: Penguin.Google Scholar
Lovell, K., Mitchell, B. & Everett, I. R. (1962). An experimental study of the growth of some logical structures. BJPsych 53. 175–88.Google ScholarPubMed
Piaget, J. (1929). The child's conception of the world. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.Google Scholar
Wason, P. C. & Johnson-Laird, P. N. (1972). Psychology of reasoning: structure and content. London: Batsford.Google Scholar