fast mapping

the ability of young children to learn new words quickly on the basis of only one or two exposures to these words. See also Quinian bootstrapping. [coined in 1978 by U.S. developmental psychologist Susan E. Carey (1942– ) and Elsa Bartlett]

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Psychology term of the day

September 14th 2024

wish

1. in classical psychoanalytic theory, the psychological manifestation of a biological instinct that operates on a conscious or unconscious level.

2. in general language, any desire or longing.