• Event Date: December 7, 2006
  • Event Start Time: 12:00 PM
  • Event End Time: 7:00 PM
  • Event Location: Rutgers University, Department of Psychology
  • Event Semester: Fall 2006
  • Event Contact: Sara Baker
  • Event Extra info: <a href="http://ruccs.rutgers.edu/~sbaker">Sara Baker</a>
Traditional studies in cognitive development use group averages at different ages to infer developmental patterns of change.  Microgenetic studies, which follow a group of children with repeated testing, produce developmental curves through a period of change.  Still, curves based on group data are difficult to interpret because they could represent many individuals� abrupt change or many individuals� slow change, or a combination thereof.  The problem of describing development is rendered more complex when multiple abilities are under question.  Studies using group data show a correlation between preschoolers� ability to attribute beliefs to others and their inhibitory control (Carlson, Moses & Breton, 2002).   But what of the pattern of development within the individual?  Is the correlation between these abilities an artifact of group statistics, or is there a theoretically-relevant relationship between these abilities in individuals� development?We examined individual development on standard false belief (FB) tasks and inhibitory control (IC) tasks, repeatedly testing the same individuals over a period of several months. Using the Gallistel algorithm, we identified statistically significant change points in each individual�s development. By studying curves for FB and IC, we can relate change points on different tasks within a given individual.Our analyses show various developmental patterns across individuals, though most children show neither �sudden insight� nor steady monotonic change.  We reveal a very long period of change, or �stable instability�.  The microgenetic method coupled with individual change-point analysis gives a new picture of developmental change.