Changing the way you learn

Understanding representations

Concrete objects but also abstract such as feelings etc
Mandler
1. 2 types of representations
  1. Procedural- knowing how, inaccessible to conscious mind
    1. Declarative- knowing that, available to conscious, where objects hidden
Different types of representational systems
1. Gestures & language indicate symbolic mental activity
  1. Can hold some mental reps early on but some only develop much later
DeLoache
1. Small doll in model room, asked to find big doll in room
  1. >3 yr able, <2.5 not
    1. Kids could remember where they'd seen doll, not memory problem
      1. Inability to understand representational relationship between 2 rooms
        Error similar to A not B task
DeLoache & Sharon
1. If problem is inhibitory control kids should do better on 1st trial
  1. Failure rate was 77%
    1. If shown 1st hiding place is empty kids look nearby
      1. Not inhib control but difficulty understanding relationship between models & spaces they represent
Understanding reps builds on object permanence
1. And ability to imitate
  1. Some skills present early & possibly innate, some later
    1. Difficult to understand as cannot ask babies
      1. Problems in experiments may not be lack of ability but difficulty coordinating what they know with actions

Understanding representations

	Created by charliestar04 over 10 years ago