Robots and rodents: children's inferences about living and nonliving kinds

Child Dev. 2007 Nov-Dec;78(6):1675-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01095.x.

Abstract

This study tests the firm distinction children are said to make between living and nonliving kinds. Three, 4-, and 5-year-old children and adults reasoned about whether items that varied on 3 dimensions (alive, face, behavior) had a range of properties (biological, psychological, perceptual, artifact, novel, proper names). Findings demonstrate that by 4 years of age, children make clear distinctions between prototypical living and nonliving kinds regardless of the property under consideration. Even 3-year-olds distinguish prototypical living and nonliving kinds when asked about biological properties. When reasoning about nonbiological properties for the full range of items, however, even 5-year-olds and adults occasionally rely on facial features. Thus, the living/nonliving distinction may have more narrow consequences than previously acknowledged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Concept Formation*
  • Culture
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life*
  • Male
  • Reality Testing
  • Robotics*
  • Rodentia*
  • Thinking