Skip to search
Skip to main content
Catalog
Help
Feedback
Your Account
Library Account
Bookmarks
(
0
)
Search History
Search in
Keyword
Title (keyword)
Author (keyword)
Subject (keyword)
Title starts with
Subject (browse)
Author (browse)
Author (sorted by title)
Call number (browse)
search for
Search
Advanced Search
Bookmarks
(
0
)
Princeton University Library Catalog
Start over
Send
to
SMS
Email
Printer
Bookmark
The Blowfish Effect in Children: Exploring Exemplar Typicality in Word Learning and Generalization to the Basic Level
Author/Artist
Loncar, Nicole
[Browse]
Format
Senior thesis
Language
English
Availability
Available Online
Full text:
DataSpace
Details
Advisor(s)
Emberson, Lauren L.
[Browse]
Department
Princeton University. Department of Psychology
[Browse]
Class year
2017
Summary note
In hearing a novel label in reference to an object, an individual is required to make an inference as to which taxonomic level the new word is referring to. Historically, word learning literature has suggested that learners preferentially interpret novel words at the basic level. However, children must also eventually learn words at all category levels, including the more specific, subordinate level. The present empirical study explores two factors that relate to how likely children are to assume subordinate level interpretations for these novel words: the number of exemplars, and the typicality of those exemplars. Results demonstrate that a novel label applied to an atypical exemplar (e.g. Dalmatian) of its basic level category (dogs) is more likely to be attributed to the subordinate level. Moreover, this “Blowfish Effect” is demonstrated to be both as strong as, and independent from, the effect of the “suspicious coincidence,” which is presently replicated from Xu and Tenenbaum (2007). Findings suggest that both the content and the structure of the exemplars witnessed play a role in how children learn words at the subordinate level.
Statement on language in description
Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage.
Read more...
Ask a Question
Suggest a Correction
Report Harmful Language
Supplementary Information