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Expression of the part–whole semantic relation by 3- to 12-year-old children*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Bonnie E. Litowitz  and
Forrest A. Novy
Bonnie E. Litowitz
Affiliation:
Erikson Institute
Forrest A. Novy
Affiliation:
Universidade Católica do Paraná
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Abstract

The present study investigated the expression of the part–whole semantic relation by children 3 to 12 years of age. Controlling both task format (structured vs. open-ended) and dimensions associated with experimental stimuli (part-word vs. part-object; known whole vs. unknown whole), the verbal responses of two age groups of children were analysed. While results revealed the part–whole semantic relation expressible by even the youngest children, age-group comparisons indicated that the older children preferred its use significantly more often. The part–whole semantic relation was also observed to take several linguistic forms (partitive, spatial, possessive), the selection of which varied as a function of age, task format, and type of experimental stimuli. Findings are discussed relative to issues concerning research methodology, the elicitation and assessment of children's semantic knowledge, and cognitive developmental theory.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , February 1984 , pp. 159 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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