Moving word learning to a novel space: A dynamic systems view of referent selection and retention

Samuelson, Larissa K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9141-3286, Kucker, Sarah C. and Spencer, John P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7320-144X (2017) Moving word learning to a novel space: A dynamic systems view of referent selection and retention. Cognitive Science, 41 (S1). 52–72. ISSN 0364-0213

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Abstract

Theories of cognitive development must address both the issue of how children bring their knowledge to bear on behavior in-the-moment, and how knowledge changes over time. We argue that seeking answers to these questions requires an appreciation of the dynamic nature of the developing system in its full, reciprocal complexity. We illustrate this dynamic complexity with results from two lines of research on early word learning. The first demonstrates how the child’s active engagement with objects and people supports referent selection via memories for what objects were previously seen in a cued location. The second set of results highlights changes in the role of novelty and attentional processes in referent selection and retention as children’s knowledge of words and objects grows. Together this work suggests understanding systems for perception, action, attention, and memory and their complex interaction is critical to understand word learning. We review recent literature that highlights the complex interactions between these processes in cognitive development and point to critical issues for future work.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Published in Special Issue: 2013 Rumelhart Prize Special Issue Honoring Linda B. Smith
Uncontrolled Keywords:	word learning, dynamic systems,dynamic field theory,fast mapping,attention,spatial memory,referent selection
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Developmental Science Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Cognition, Action and Perception
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	22 Mar 2016 09:26
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 00:47
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/57763
DOI:	10.1111/cogs.12369

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