Generics guide toddlers' inductive inferences about novel kinds

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dc.contributor.advisorGraham, Susan
dc.contributor.authorNayer, Samantha L.
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T21:50:58Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T21:50:58Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 61-63en
dc.description.abstractThe present set of studies examined whether generic language guides 24- and 30- month-olds' inferences about novel kinds. Across three experiments, children were administered an inductive inference task in one of two conditions: (a) a generic condition, and (b) a non-generic condition. First, the experimenter introduced a novel model exemplar (e.g., a blue blick) accompanied by either a generic noun phrase (NP) (e.g., "Blicks drink milk") or a non-generic NP (e.g., "This blick drinks milk") and modeled a target action (a drinking motion with a cup). Children were then given the opportunity to imitate the target action with the novel model exemplar (e.g., the blue blick) and a novel non-model exemplar ( e.g., the orange blick). Experiment One was an initial examination of 30-month-olds' attention to generics when making inductive inferences about novel kinds within a supportive linguistic context (reminder group) and a less supportive linguistic context (no-reminder group). Results indicated that 30-month-olds in the non-generic group imitated significantly more often with the model exemplar compared to the non-model exemplar. In contrast, 30-month-olds in the generic group imitated equally as often with the model and non-model exemplars. Type of context (supportive versus less supportive) did not influence the results. Experiment Two investigated 24-month-olds sensitivity to generics within a supportive linguistic context. Results demonstrated that 24-month-olds in both the generic and nonĀ­generic groups imitated equally as often with the model and non-model exemplars, indicating that 24-month-olds do not appear to be sensitive to generics when making inductive inferences about novel kinds. Finally, Experiment Three was a control for plurality in the generic and non-generic NPs. Results indicated that, 30-month-olds in both the generic and non-generic groups imitated equally as often with the model and non-model exemplars, suggesting that, children were not sensitive to generic language when making inductive inferences when plurality was controlled. The results from the present set of experiments provide preliminary evidence that young children have an emerging ability to use generic language to guide their inductive inferences about novel kinds.
dc.format.extentx, 73 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationNayer, S. L. (2007). Generics guide toddlers' inductive inferences about novel kinds (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/2637en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/2637
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/103638
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleGenerics guide toddlers' inductive inferences about novel kinds
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineClinical Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 1740 520492257
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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