Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2008):

A cognitive approach to the development of early language.

Full Abstract

A controversial issue in the field of language development is whether language emergence and growth is dependent solely on processes specifically tied to language or could also depend on basic cognitive processes that affect all aspects of cognitive competence (domain-general processes). The present article examines this issue using a large battery of infant information-processing measures of memory, representational competence, processing speed, and attention, many of which have been shown to predict general cognition in a cohort of full-terms and preterms. Results showed that various aspects of infant memory and representational competence (a) related to language at both 12 and 36 months, (b) predicted similarly for the two groups, and (c) predicted 36-month language, independently of birth status, 12-month language, and the 12-month Bayley Mental Development Index. Additionally, the results established predictive validity for the MacArthur 12-month language measure. These findings support a domain-general view of language.

Author information

Author/s: Rose, Susan A (SA); Feldman, Judith F (JF); Jankowski, Jeffery J (JJ);

Affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, USA. srose(-atsign-)aecom.yu.edu

Grants: HD 049494 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; HD13810 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Child development (Child Dev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Jan-Feb; vol 80 (issue 1) : pp 134-50

Dates: Created 2009/02/24; Completed 2009/06/09;

PMID: 19236397, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/9/2009, IMS Date: 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Achievement Aptitude Attention Child, Preschool Cognition Comprehension Concept Formation Female Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature - psychology Language Development

Language Development Longitudinal Studies Male Memory, Short-Term Mental Recall Nonverbal Communication Pattern Recognition, Visual Psychomotor Performance Reaction Time Recognition (Psychology) Reference Values Symbolism Transfer (Psychology)

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