Podcast
Questions and Answers
At what age do children typically start to show an understanding of different agents' action capabilities?
At what age do children typically start to show an understanding of different agents' action capabilities?
What is the primary function of executive functions in children?
What is the primary function of executive functions in children?
When does the understanding of theory of mind typically begin to emerge in children?
When does the understanding of theory of mind typically begin to emerge in children?
Which of the following is NOT considered a function of executive functions?
Which of the following is NOT considered a function of executive functions?
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What foundational ability allows children to understand that others have different desires and beliefs?
What foundational ability allows children to understand that others have different desires and beliefs?
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At what age do infants begin to learn object permanence?
At what age do infants begin to learn object permanence?
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What is the contract principle as understood by infants?
What is the contract principle as understood by infants?
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What is motionese?
What is motionese?
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Which study indicated that 4-5 month old infants look longer at impossible events?
Which study indicated that 4-5 month old infants look longer at impossible events?
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What indicates the biological capacity for imitation in infants?
What indicates the biological capacity for imitation in infants?
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Which age group demonstrated an understanding of the contact principle according to Leslie & Kneeable?
Which age group demonstrated an understanding of the contact principle according to Leslie & Kneeable?
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What is theory of mind primarily concerned with?
What is theory of mind primarily concerned with?
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At what age do children generally begin to recognize how things look from another person's perspective according to Flavell et al?
At what age do children generally begin to recognize how things look from another person's perspective according to Flavell et al?
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What did Piaget's 3 mountain task reveal about children's perspective-taking abilities?
What did Piaget's 3 mountain task reveal about children's perspective-taking abilities?
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What does the false belief example demonstrate in terms of cognitive development?
What does the false belief example demonstrate in terms of cognitive development?
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Study Notes
Infant Development: Key Milestones and Theories
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Early Sensory Experiences: Infants benefit from diverse sensory experiences early in development. This impacts learning at a young age.
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Imitation: Infants possess a capacity for imitation from birth, mimicking facial and motor gestures. Whether this is innate or learned is actively debated.
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Motionese: Adults use "motionese" (a type of adapted communication) with infants, which aids in processing actions and is comparable to how teachers help learners.
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Object Permanence: Infants begin demonstrating understanding of object permanence around 5 months old.
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Research (Baillargeon et al., 1985) shows infants at 4-5 months look longer at impossible events, suggesting expectation development. This relates to the contract principle.
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The contract principle states that objects interact only when they're in contact, recognised as early as 24 weeks (Leslie & Kneeable, 1987).
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Perceptual Abilities (Newborns): Newborns show a preference for face stimuli over scrambled or blank stimuli (Johnson et al., 1991; replicated by Valenza, 1996).
Challenges to Piaget's Theory
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Underestimation of Infant Abilities: Piaget's theory underestimated the role of social interaction and infant capabilities.
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Early Cognitive Development: Infants exhibit more complex cognitive abilities than Piaget proposed, including rudimentary causal reasoning, imitation, and social referencing within the first year of life.
Theory of Mind
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Definition: Theory of mind is the ability to comprehend the mental states of both oneself and others. This underlies foundational abilities like understanding people's behaviours.
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Development (Flavell et al., 1981): Children display early skill in recognizing what others see (by 12 months). Understanding others' perspectives fully develops around age 4, demonstrating that mental states begin to be understood around 3 years old and continues to grow.
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False Belief Task (Wimmer & Perner, 1983): Children younger than 4 struggle with tasks like the "chocolate task," where they have trouble comprehending that another person might have a different idea about the chocolate's location. Children aged 4 and older correctly recognize that Angela will believe the chocolate is in the green box.
Executive Functions
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Definition: Executive functions are cognitive abilities for voluntary behaviour control, including focus, planning, remembering instructions, monitoring actions, and task management.
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Development: The ability to develop self-control grows over time (Carlson et al., 2005). Infants start to understand agents' actions around age 3 (Paulus & Moore, 2011).
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Important Note: Children can demonstrate more systematic reasoning during preschool years.
Summary of Key Concepts
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Social Constructivism: Children learn through social interaction.
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Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with guidance.
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Social Referencing: Observing others' reactions to guide one's own behavior.
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Conceptual Understanding vs. Procedural Ability.
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Motionese.
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Object Permanence.
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The Contact Principle.
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Theory of Mind.
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Executive Functions.
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Description
Explore the fascinating key milestones and theories in infant development, including early sensory experiences, imitation, and object permanence. Learn how these concepts impact learning and understanding during the critical early months of life. This quiz delves into significant research and communication styles that influence infant growth.
