| Abstract: | Examined early developments toward mastering spatial-transposition problems in 60 20-, 30-, and 42-mo-old children. Ss received 2 kinds of transpositions: (a) relevant transpositions, involving switching a cup containing an object with 1 of 2 other empty cups, and (b) irrelevant transpositions, involving switching 2 empty cups while leaving in place a 3rd cup containing the object. Ss performed well on irrelevant transpositions but had more trouble with relevant transpositions: Although they localized their searches to the transposed cups on those problems, they did not select the correct cup until 42 mo. The youngest Ss searched primarily at the initial hiding location. They also showed some sensitivity to movement information but did not coordinate that with the initial hiding information as the problems required. By 30 mo, Ss did coordinate the 2 kinds of information but still showed a strong tendency to go to the initial location. By 42 mo, that tendency had been brought sufficiently under control to permit correct responding. The general picture of the early development of search is one in which children initially acquire search patterns on an experimental basis and only gradually come to a more principled understanding of their logical significance. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
