New method for studying semantic encoding in children.

Used a familiarization procedure in 2 experiments investigating word encoding in 40 2nd and 40 6th graders. Previous studies using release from proactive inhibition have indicated that developmental changes on some encoding dimensions occur during this period. It is argued that the dependence of release from proactive inhibition on deliberate recall decreases its pertinence to the process of encoding. Exp I confirmed previous findings that the taxonomic classes animals and body parts are encoded by Ss in both grades. Exp II revealed that Ss in both grades also encode the evaluative connotation of words, a finding that has previously emerged only inconsistently. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)