Interference control in a new rule use task: age-related changes, labeling, and attention

Child Dev. 2004 Sep-Oct;75(5):1594-609. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00759.x.

Abstract

Three experiments examined 3- to 6-year-olds' interference control using a task in which children saw 2 corresponding sets of colored cards, a large set in front of them and a small set behind them. A colored candy (Smartie) was placed on a large card with mismatching color, and children could win the Smartie by selecting the small card that matched the color of the large card. Three-year-olds performed poorly whereas older children performed well. Having children label the correct color before responding improved 3-year-olds' performance (Experiment 2), as did pointing to the large card (Experiment 3); decreasing the affective salience of the stimuli (colored beads vs. Smarties) did not (Experiment 3). Results reveal the role of selective attention in action control.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition*
  • Color Perception*
  • Cues*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Practice, Psychological*
  • Psychomotor Performance*
  • Verbal Behavior*