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. 2009 Nov;113(2):244-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2009.07.011. Epub 2009 Aug 29.

Learning in reverse: eight-month-old infants track backward transitional probabilities

Bruna Pelucchi  1 , Jessica F Hay, Jenny R Saffran
Affiliations

Learning in reverse: eight-month-old infants track backward transitional probabilities

Bruna Pelucchi et al. Cognition. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Numerous recent studies suggest that human learners, including both infants and adults, readily track sequential statistics computed between adjacent elements. One such statistic, transitional probability, is typically calculated as the likelihood that one element predicts another. However, little is known about whether listeners are sensitive to the directionality of this computation. To address this issue, we tested 8-month-old infants in a word segmentation task, using fluent speech drawn from an unfamiliar natural language. Critically, test items were distinguished solely by their backward transitional probabilities. The results provide the first evidence that infants track backward statistics in fluent speech.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean looking times (± 1SE) to HTP-words and LTP-words
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