Constraints on classificatory skills in young children

On three occasions over a one-year period 23 children aged 3-4 were asked to match target objects with other objects which were similar to the target in shape or in colour but not in both. A sequence of matches to each target was asked for. The structure of these sequences is examined for evidence of classifacatory abilities. Many subjects appear to be attempting (not always successfully) to follow a strategy of 'holding fast' to their original choice of matching criterion (colour or shape) on subsequent trials. The striking differences between performance after a first-trial colour-match and after a first-trial shape-match are described. It is argued that development during this period involves an increasing ability to ignore the more salient attribute (shape) when matching by colour. The general developmental significance is discussed.