Children's naming and word-finding difficulties: descriptions and explanations
David Messer1, Julie E Dockrell
1Centre for Childhood, Development and Learning, Faculty of Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. d.j.messer@open.ac.uk
Summary
Children with word-finding difficulties (WFDs) struggle to retrieve words accurately. Understanding the cognitive processes involved, like semantics and phonology, is key to improving language development.
Area of Science:
- Child language development
- Speech and language pathology
Background:
- A significant number of children experience word-finding difficulties (WFDs).
- These difficulties impact normal language development and use, even when word meaning is understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the nature of naming and lexical retrieval difficulties in children.
- To investigate word-finding difficulties (WFDs) in various child populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on lexical access difficulties in children with WFDs.
- Analysis of studies based on population parameters and comparison groups.
Main Results:
- Discussions on cognitive processes for lexical retrieval often focus on semantics, phonology, and processing speed.
- Further research is needed to test developmental models.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate methodology is crucial for advancing the understanding of cognitive processes in WFDs.
- Identifying specific processes contributing to successful or difficult lexical retrieval is essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:22Language Development
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:10Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon
The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a cognitive experience characterized by a temporary inability to retrieve specific information from memory despite having a strong feeling of knowing the information. Although individuals cannot access the target word or detail, they frequently recall related elements, such as its initial letter, syllable count, or context. This partial retrieval often causes frustration, as one might recognize a familiar face or know that a name starts with a specific...