Understanding representations

Understanding representations

1. Concrete objects but also abstract such as feelings etc

2. Mandler

   • 2 types of representations
     • Procedural- knowing how, inaccessible to conscious mind
       • Declarative- knowing that, available to conscious, where objects hidden

3. Different types of representational systems

   • Gestures & language indicate symbolic mental activity
     • Can hold some mental reps early on but some only develop much later

4. DeLoache

   • Small doll in model room, asked to find big doll in room
     • >3 yr able, <2.5 not
       • Kids could remember where they'd seen doll, not memory problem
         • Inability to understand representational relationship between 2 rooms
           • Error similar to A not B task

5. DeLoache & Sharon

   • If problem is inhibitory control kids should do better on 1st trial
     • Failure rate was 77%
       • If shown 1st hiding place is empty kids look nearby
         • Not inhib control but difficulty understanding relationship between models & spaces they represent

6. Understanding reps builds on object permanence

   • And ability to imitate
     • Some skills present early & possibly innate, some later
       • Difficult to understand as cannot ask babies
         • Problems in experiments may not be lack of ability but difficulty coordinating what they know with actions