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Using Network Science to Study Children’s Conceptual Development

Project description

Explaining how children are lifting their abstract concepts

Manifestations of first abstract concepts in humans can be observed as early as in infancy. Defined as general notions expressed in the mind, speech or thought, they are fundamental in building blocks of thoughts, and are crucial in all aspects of cognition. But to understand how they are developing in early childhood is still a challenge for science. The EU-funded ConceptNet project will investigate this issue based on an assumption of the crucial role of cultural hints offered by the language. A novelty approach from the dynamic networks field will enable capturing the complexity of children’s linguistic input. ConceptNet will help to refine science education at schools.

Objective

Concepts are mental representations that organize experience. They are the building blocks of ideas (e.g. the thought “birds are animals” requires the knowledge of both the concepts “birds” and the concept “animal”). They enable inductive reasoning and predictive inferences which guide behavior and explanation. Some concepts are already present in infancy. These early concepts are richer than previously thought. However, much of the abstract and sophisticated concepts that make human cognition so special (e.g. scientific concepts) are not present at birth. Thus one of the most exciting challenges in psychology is to understand how abstract concepts develop. Much of the abstract concepts that form the basis of our ability to organize the world and make inferences (e.g. “animal”, “artefact”, “alive beings”) have non-observable shared properties (e.g. a cat and a flower are perceptually quite different, but both belong to the concept alive beings). Thus, the refinement of abstract concepts requires access to cultural cues, mostly via language, which provide information beyond what can be obtained through the senses.,, The goal of this project is to explore how children’s conceptual development can benefit form the language they hear around them. To capture the complexity of the linguistic input as well as the children developing conceptual knowledge, I use methods from the growing field of dynamic networks. I will carry out my research at the Institute of Complex Systems, Paris Île-de-France (ISC-PIF). I will also use the model to provide insights about how scientific concepts can be taught efficiently at school. To this end, I will collaborate with experts in science education at the secondment foundation La Main à La pâte (LAMAP), which is the leading French NGO in developing and promoting best practices in science education.

Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution
€ 184 707,84
Address
RUE MICHEL ANGE 3
75794 Paris
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost
€ 184 707,84