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Identifying unreliable informants: do children excuse past inaccuracy?

Nurmsoo, Erika, Robinson, Elizabeth J. (2009) Identifying unreliable informants: do children excuse past inaccuracy? Developmental Science, 12 (1). pp. 41-47. ISSN 1363-755X. (doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00750.x) (KAR id:32064)

Abstract

In three experiments (N = 123; 148; 28), children observed a video in which two speakers offered alternative labels for unfamiliar objects. In Experiment 1, 3- to 5-year-olds endorsed the label given by a speaker who had previously labeled familiar objects accurately, rather than that given by a speaker with a history of inaccurate labeling, even when the inaccurate speaker erred only while blindfolded. In Experiments 2 and 3, 3- to 7-year-olds showed no preference for the label given by a previously inaccurate but blindfolded speaker, over that given by a second inaccurate speaker with no obvious excuse for erring. Children based their endorsements on speakers’ history of accuracy or inaccuracy irrespective of the speakers’ information access at the time, raising doubts that children made mentalistic interpretations of speakers’ inaccuracy.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00750.x
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Funders: Organisations -1 not found.
Depositing User: Erika Nurmsoo
Date Deposited: 02 Nov 2012 17:57 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 03:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/32064 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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