PSYC3016 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Alison Gopnik, Rutherford Model, Multiple Comparisons Problem
Document Summary
Abstract thought: how do children go beyond the perceptual in their concept formation, many have emphasized the importance of language. Beyond perceptual features: gentner"s theory of analogical reasoning and development centres the distinction between the intrinsic features of objects and the extrinsic relations between objects. Island= place with beaches and palm trees island = and surrounded by water. Comparison and the relational shift: christie and gentner. Lecture 17- abstract concept: no chance for comparison- kids have limited memory capacity, having the comparison in front of them is easier to distinguish, solo: they focus more on object match, sequential: a bit more relational. If you use same type of relations frequently, it narrows it down: prepositions is much more variable. Language and abstract thought: the case of number: carey posits a core knowledge system for number, however, core knowledge is often qualitatively different than mature conceptual knowledge, language plays a key role making this transition.
