Backward Semantic Inhibition in Toddlers

In this study, we used the preferential-looking paradigm to examine whether attention switching is accompanied by backward semantic inhibition in toddlers. We found that 24-month-olds can indeed refocus their attention to a new item by selectively inhibiting attention to the old item. The consequence of backward inhibition is that subsequent attention to a word semantically related to the old item is impaired. These findings have important implications for understanding the underlying mechanism of backward semantic inhibition and the development of lexical-semantic inhibition in early childhood.

Source: Psychological Science - October 6, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Chow, J., Aimola Davies, A. M., Fuentes, L. J., Plunkett, K. Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research