Abstract
Executive functions enable flexible thinking, something young children are notoriously bad at. For instance, in the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) task, 3-year-olds can sort cards by one dimension (shape), but continue to sort by this dimension when asked to switch (to color). This study tests a prediction of a dynamic neural field model that prior experience with the postswitch dimension can enhance 3-year-olds' performance in the DCCS. In Experiment 1A, a matching game was used to preexpose 3-year-olds (n = 36) to color. This facilitated switching from sorting by shape to color. In , 3-year-olds (n = 18) were preexposed to shape. This did not facilitate switching from sorting by color to shape. The model was used to explain this asymmetry.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 812-827 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Child Development |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 1 Dec 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 May 2015 |
Profiles
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Larissa Samuelson
- Developmental Science - Member
- School of Psychology - Professor in Psychology
- Cognition, Action and Perception - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Academic, Teaching & Research
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John Spencer
- School of Psychology - Professor in Psychology
- Developmental Science - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Academic, Teaching & Research