| This experiment examined the effect of thematic and taxonomic symbol organization on the performance of typically developing 3-year-olds in locating representations of common objects in a dynamic computer display. The experimental task required each of 20 participants to navigate three hierarchical levels of linked computer screens to locate a pre-specified graphic symbol representing a common object. Children viewed computer screens of four symbol choices depicting categories of objects organized either thematically or taxonomically. Printed cards, showing each of 10 common objects, were displayed individually as samples. Each child searched for the 10 samples twice in separate, counterbalanced presentations of thematic and taxonomic symbol sequences. Taxonomic sequences displayed a series of three screens with four colored line drawing choices per screen, progressing from superordinate categories to related basic level categories, to subordinate category members. Thematic sequences progressed from four colored line drawing choices of rooms on screen one, to a scene of a room in which objects were active touch-points, to four related objects. Results showed that children performed significantly better on the taxonomic categories task than on the thematic categories task. |
