How do children evaluate complex causal events? This study investigates preschoolers' representation of "force dynamics" in causal scenes, asking whether (a) children understand how single and dual forces impact an object's movement and (b) this understanding varies across cause types (Cause, Enable, Prevent). Three-and-a half- to…

This paper presents a psychometric analysis of the criterion problem in neo-Piagetian concept development research. The evidence shows that false negative and false positive criterion errors have the same effect on the null hypothesis so that the criterion with the lowest error rate should be utilized. (Author/JMB)

Examines young children's awareness that an actor's intention to transfer possession or control is a necessary precondition for correct use of the verb "give". Ninety-six four- through six-year-olds were presented with anecdotes in which the actor's behavior was held constant but his subjective goal was varied. (Author/RH)

Results do not support Piaget's explanation of object conceptualization. (MB)

Tested the hypothesis that young children's tendency to draw horizontal or vertical objects perpendicularly to an oblique surface reflects their preference for perpendicular drawings as conceptually correct depictions. (Author/RH)