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

November 25th 2024

video conferencing

see teleconferencing.