Developmental Psychology: Children's Learning of Word Meaning (VS1) (U03891)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-4-DPCLV1-PS

Young children learn language at astonishing rates. This is especially impressive when we consider the range of potential meanings that can be associated with each novel utterance. What kinds of information do you children use in order to learn word meaning, and how do they organize this information? Researchers have hypothesized that children are predisposed to elevate some hypotheses about word meanings over others, and these innate constraints guide the learning process. In addition, infants are tuned into subtle social cues (e.g. gaze) which provide a wealth of information about reference. In this course, we will review and analyze the evidence for the existence of linguistic constraints and discuss the social cues involved early language acquisition. We will also discuss alternative learning strategies such as associative learning, which occurs in autism, a social disability.

? Keywords : Developmental psychology; learning; word meaning; normal development; atypical development

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03147

? Pre-requisites : Degree major in Psychology and passes in psychology courses at least to the equivalent of junior honours level in Edinburgh. Prior agreement with the 4th year Honours Course Organiser: Dr Martha Whiteman (Ext. 50 3317).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Psychology, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will gain knowledge of:
- Experimental techniques in developmental psychology
- Strategies and constraints used to guide typical language learning
- Cues children with autism use to learn the meanings of words
- The role of naming in forming categories
- How to critically analyze experimental papers