whole object assumption

in language development, the tendency of children to suppose that a novel label refers to a whole object rather than to its parts, properties, or attributes. For example, if an adult points in the general direction of an object and uses a novel label for it, a child will assume that the whole object is the referent of the label. Compare mutual exclusivity assumption; taxonomic assumption.

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Psychology term of the day

January 26th 2025

chemotherapy

n. the use of chemical agents to treat diseases, particularly cancer, in which case it is contrasted with radiation therapy. —chemotherapeutic adj. —chemotherapist n.