Speed's theory makes two predictions for the development of analogical reasoning. Firstly, young children should not be able to reason analogically due to an undeveloped PFC neural network. Secondly, category knowledge enables the reinforcement of structural features over surface features, and thus the development of sophisticated, analogical, reasoning. We outline existing studies that support these predictions and highlight some critical remaining issues. Specifically, we argue that the development of inhibition must be directly compared alongside the development of reasoning strategies in order to support Speed's account.
Bibliographical noteThis is an electronic version of an article published in Badger, J & Shapiro, L 2010, 'Development of reasoning: Behavioral evidence to support reinforcement over cognitive control accounts', Cognitive neuroscience, vol 1, no. 2, pp. 138-139. Cognitive neuroscience is available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1758-8928&volume=1&issue=2&spage=138
An investigation into children’s inductive reasoning strategies: What drives the development of category induction?Author: Badger, J., Jul 2011
Supervisor: Shapiro, L. R. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of PhilosophyFile