Which of the following statements is supported by research on early word learning?
A) The principle of mutual exclusivity sufficiently explains early vocabulary growth.
B) Most word learning strategies are innate.
C) Children's first several hundred nouns refer mostly to objects well-organized by shape.
D) Young children assume that all words refer to entirely separate categories.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research on early word learning suggests that children's first several hundred nouns primarily refer to objects that are well-organized by shape, such as balls or blocks. The principle of mutual exclusivity, which posits that children assume that each object has only one label, cannot fully explain early vocabulary growth. While some word learning strategies may have an innate basis, there is also evidence that environmental input and social interactions play a significant role in language acquisition. Lastly, young children do not initially assume that all words refer to entirely separate categories; rather, they often overextend labels to objects that share superficial similarities, such as calling all four-legged animals "doggy."

Which of the Following Statements Is Supported by Research on Early