ISSN : 1229-0718
Understanding of symbolic function of replica objects was examined with 24- and 30-month-old children. In Experiment 1, understanding of objects was compared with understanding of words, photographs, and gestures. 24- and 30-month-old children understand objects as well as words, photographs, and gestures. However, they understand objects worse than words and photographs. Understandings of photographs, gestures, and objects were related to each other significantly, especially at 30 month. In Experiment 1a, understanding of objects was compared again with understanding of words, pictures, and gestures in a sample of children from similar socio-economic and educational backgrounds. Unlike in Experiment 1, 30-month-old children understand all symbols whereas 24-month-old children understand only words and gestures. 24-month-old children understand objects worse than words and gestures whereas 30-month-old children understand objects worse than other symbols. Understanding of gestures and objects showed significant positive correlations at both 24- and 30-months. In addition, understanding of words and pictures showed a significant positive correlation at 30-month. These results from experiment 1 and 1a showed that DeLoache's dual representation hypothesis can explain early understanding of symbolic function of replica objects. In Experiment 3, the effect of iconicity of replica objects was examined. 24- and 30-month-old children understand objects better when an object and a referent are physically similar to each other than when they are not.
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