Category norms for verbal items in nine categories for younger and older preschoolers

Author(s): Mecklenbrauker, S.

Journal/Book: Sprache Kognit. 1998; 17: Langgass-Strasse 76, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland. Verlag Hans Huber. 41-50.

Abstract: Based on the study by Hasselhorn, Jaspers, and Hernando (1990) which provides typicality norms for children in kindergarten and in grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, category-production norms for preschoolers are presented. For the first time in German-speaking areas a group of young children (aged 3;6 to 4;6) was investigated. Seventy children aged 3:6 to 3;6 and seventy-five children aged 5;6 to 6;6 were asked to generate examples of nine different categories (bathroom articles, farm animals, clothing, kitchen articles, furniture, musical instruments, toys, modes of transport, zoo animals) within a time period of one minute per category. Relative naming frequencies, ''objective'' and ''subjective'' extents and coefficients of discordancy are provided for each category and age group. The results show age-related differences concerning both the categories' extent and structure. The results suggest that German developmental researchers should use age-specific category norms to control or vary category knowledge.

Note: Article Hupbach A, Univ Trier, FB Psychol 1, D-54286 Trier, GERMANY

Keyword(s): TYPICALITY

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