Classification in Children: Two Developmental Information-Processing Models

Abstract

Two different theories (Pascual-Leone's and Keating's) of information processing capacity development allow predictions about subjects' performance in some classification tasks. M-space and its interaction with cognitive style are constructs of Pascual-Leone's neo-Piagetian theory, evaluated here together with a micromodel for classification problems, consistent with the same theory, proposed by Morra. Keating and Bobbitt maintain that cognitive processes can be divided in phases; their construct of efficiency in the "operation" phase is evaluated. Subjects are 40 6-year-olds, selected out of 76.

Predictions drawn from Keating and Bobbitt's model are falsified most likely because of the inadequacy of models based on subtractive analysis of reaction times. Predictions from Pascual Leone's theory are almost wholly confirmed. However, some unpredicted (but compatible) data raise the problem of a rediscussion of the "schema" construct, proposed by Piaget and incorporated in the neo-Piagetian theory.

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