Development of Word Naming and Knowing in Children Aged 3-7:  A Behavioural and Computational Study

Supervisor:          Professor Jackie Masterson (IoE)

Co-Supervisor:    Dr Michael Thomas (Bbk)

Vocabulary or lexical knowledge plays a central role in early cognitive development and affects children's academic success and literacy development.  This project will investigate the development of naming and word knowledge in young children, using a combination of behavioural data collection and computational modelling.  The behavioural data will provide measures of semantic processing, lexical retrieval and phonological processing which will be used to construct typical developmental trajectories of component skills.  Research in computational cognitive modelling explores the essence of cognition through constructing theories that specify computational mechanisms, structures, and processes.  The project will involve building a model of vocabulary development and exploring how naming abilities depend on the emerging structure of semantic and phonological representations.  Extensions of the model are then possible to address developmental disorders where children's naming skills are impaired.

A window into the mechanisms underlying lexical knowledge is provided by the factors that have been shown to modulate naming accuracy and latency.  For example, Masterson et al (2008) demonstrated effects of imageability, and Funnell et al. (2006) effects of semantic category, in naming and knowledge questioning in young children.  It is proposed that the stimuli used by Masterson et al. and Funnell et al. will be used to collect naming and knowing data with children aged 3 to 7.  Thus, the children will be tested on picture naming tasks, tasks tapping knowledge of word meanings, and tasks mapping knowledge of speech sounds.  The data will be used to construct typical developmental trajectories.

The theoretical approach adopted for the computational modelling will be in terms of connectionist models of speech production.  The focus of the modelling work will be the process by which the child learns word meanings and phonology, and the relationship between these.

The studentship will be located within a unique multidisciplinary setting.  There will be the opportunity to benefit from behavioural data collection within an educational setting, as well as to develop expertise in computational modelling.  The student will also have opportunities to be exposed to a range of research methods in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience.

Key References

D'Amico, S., Devescovi, A. & Bates, E. (2001).  Picture naming and lexical access in Italien children and adults.  Journal of Cognition and Development 2, 71-105.
Funnell, E., Hughes, D. & Woodcock, J. (2005).  Age of acquisition for naming and knowing:  A new hypothesis.  Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology 59, 268-95.
Masterson, J., Druks, J. & Gallienne, D. (2008).  Object and action picture naming in three and five year old children.  Journal of Child Language, 35, 378-402.
Thomas, M. S. C., & McClelland, J. L. (2008).  Connectionist models of cognition.  In: R. Sun (Ed), Cambridge handbook of computational cognitive modelling. Cambridge:  Cambridge University Press

Further enquiries:
Professor Jackie Masterson, j.masterson@ioe.ac.uk
Dr Michael Thomas, m.thomas@bbk.ac.uk

Funding Details

Studentships will cover Home/EU tuition fees and pay a stipend (15,290 for 2009/10) for a period of up to 3 years.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent and preferably a masters degree in psychology, cognitive science, or a related discipline.  A strong interest in cognitive/language development and in the use of models is a also a pre-requisite.  Applicants should have familiarity with at least one computer programming language, although specific training will be given in the relevant methods for building the computational model.

How to apply:  Eligible candidates should:

1.  Complete an Institute of Education postgraduate application form available from Clare Schmitt, email resdegassist@ioe.ac.uk. Please ensure you quote reference BCPhD:  Masterson on your application form.

2.  A short statement of no more than 500 words on:  why you are interested in this project;  your current knowledge of the areas it covers and/or the way in which you will bring yourself up to speed on the subject matter.

3.  Supply a copy of a piece of your own written work.  This might be something you have written as coursework, or a publication (either for a peer reviewed journal or something more journalistic such as a student newspaper).

4.  Include a current curriculum vitae (CV).

This should be submitted either to resdegassist@ioe.ac.uk or to:

Clare Schmitt
Doctoral School
Institute of Education, University of London
20 Bedford Way
London
WC1H 0AL

Closing date for applications is:  Friday 9 April 2010 (17.00)