Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period.
Preschoolers display surprising inflexibility in problem solving, but seem to approach new challenges with a fresh slate. We provide evidence that while the former is true the latter is not. Here, we examined whether brief exposure to stimuli can influence children’s problem solving following severa...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2013-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00959/full |
| _version_ | 1818528183023042560 |
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| author | Carolina eGarcia Anthony Steven Dick |
| author_facet | Carolina eGarcia Anthony Steven Dick |
| author_sort | Carolina eGarcia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Preschoolers display surprising inflexibility in problem solving, but seem to approach new challenges with a fresh slate. We provide evidence that while the former is true the latter is not. Here, we examined whether brief exposure to stimuli can influence children’s problem solving following several weeks after first exposure to the stimuli. We administered a common executive function task, the Dimensional Change Card Sort, which requires children to sort picture cards by one dimension (e.g., color) and then switch to sort the same cards by a conflicting dimension (e.g., shape). After a week or after a month delay, we administered the second rule again. We found that 70% of preschoolers continued to sort by the initial sorting rule, even after a month delay, and even though they are explicitly told what to do. We discuss implications for theories of executive function development, and for classroom learning. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:46:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9318f86f7a3f47149cade32964e43201 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:46:22Z |
| publishDate | 2013-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9318f86f7a3f47149cade32964e432012022-12-22T01:17:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782013-12-01410.3389/fpsyg.2013.0095967708Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period.Carolina eGarcia0Anthony Steven Dick1Florida International UniversityFlorida International UniversityPreschoolers display surprising inflexibility in problem solving, but seem to approach new challenges with a fresh slate. We provide evidence that while the former is true the latter is not. Here, we examined whether brief exposure to stimuli can influence children’s problem solving following several weeks after first exposure to the stimuli. We administered a common executive function task, the Dimensional Change Card Sort, which requires children to sort picture cards by one dimension (e.g., color) and then switch to sort the same cards by a conflicting dimension (e.g., shape). After a week or after a month delay, we administered the second rule again. We found that 70% of preschoolers continued to sort by the initial sorting rule, even after a month delay, and even though they are explicitly told what to do. We discuss implications for theories of executive function development, and for classroom learning.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00959/fullExecutive FunctionProblem Solvingcognitive flexibilityDimensional Change Card Sortevent binding |
| spellingShingle | Carolina eGarcia Anthony Steven Dick Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. Frontiers in Psychology Executive Function Problem Solving cognitive flexibility Dimensional Change Card Sort event binding |
| title | Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. |
| title_full | Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. |
| title_fullStr | Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. |
| title_short | Stuck in the moment: Cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period. |
| title_sort | stuck in the moment cognitive inflexibility in preschoolers following an extended time period |
| topic | Executive Function Problem Solving cognitive flexibility Dimensional Change Card Sort event binding |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00959/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carolinaegarcia stuckinthemomentcognitiveinflexibilityinpreschoolersfollowinganextendedtimeperiod AT anthonystevendick stuckinthemomentcognitiveinflexibilityinpreschoolersfollowinganextendedtimeperiod |