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Can children resist making interpretations when uncertain?

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Beck, S.R., Robinson, Elizabeth J. and Freeth, M.. (2007) Can children resist making interpretations when uncertain? Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Vol.99 (No.4). pp. 252-270. ISSN 0022-0965

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2007.06.002

Abstract

In two experiments we examined young children’s ability to delay a response to ambiguous input. In Experiment 1 5- and 6- year olds performed as poorly when they had to choose between basing an interpretation on ambiguous input and delaying an interpretation as when making explicit evaluations of knowledge. Seven- and 8- year olds’ found the former task easy. In Experiment 2 5- and 6- year olds performed well on a task that required delaying a response but removed the need to decide between strategies. We discuss children’s difficulty with ambiguity in terms of the decision making demands made by different procedures. These demands appear to cause particular problems for young children.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Child psychology, Ambiguity, Children -- Decision making
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0022-0965
Date:	27 July 2007
Volume:	Vol.99
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 252-270
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.jecp.2007.06.002
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Related URLs:	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob...
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/49