Infants remember the order of words in a spoken sentence

Author(s): Nelson, D. G. K., Jusczyk, P. W.

Journal/Book: Cognitive Develop. 1996; 11: 355 Chestnut St, Norwood, NJ 07648. Ablex Publ Corp. 181-196.

Abstract: The ability to remember sequential order information is an important component in the learning and mastery of many complex cognitive skills. Notably, it is critical for learning language. This study investigated whether infants are capable of remembering the order of words in an English sentence and, especially whether the structure afforded by natural sentential prosody enhances their ability to do so. This study compares 2-month-olds' abilities to detect changes in word order, after a 2-min delay, for sequences spoken as a well-formed sentence versus as two unrelated, but well-formed, sentential fragments. The results indicate that infants exposed to the single sentences were able to detect changes in word order. By comparison, infants exposed to the sentential fragments showed no tendency to detect the same word order changes. Thus, even at two months of age, infants are able to remember the order of spoken words when they are embedded within the coherent prosodic structure of a single well-formed sentence.

Note: Article PW Jusczyk, SUNY Buffalo, Dept Psychol, Perceptual Dev Lab, 373 Pk Hall, Box 604110, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA

Keyword(s): YOUNG INFANTS; PERCEPTION; RECALL; CAUSALITY; MELODIES; EVENT; UNITS; CUES

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