Gert Westermann

Nivedita Mani

Early Word Learning explores the processes leading to a young child learning words and their meanings. Word learning is here understood as the outcome of overlapping and interacting processes, starting with an infant’s learning of native speech sounds to segmenting proto-words from fluent speech, mapping individual words to meanings in the face of natural variability and uncertainty, and developing a structured mental lexicon. Experts in the field review the development of early lexical acquisition from empirical, computational and theoretical perspectives to examine the development of skilled word learning as the outcome of a process that begins even before birth and spans the first two years of life. Drawing on cutting-edge research in infant eye-tracking, neuroimaging techniques and computational modelling, this book surveys the field covering both established results and the most recent advances in word learning research. Featuring chapters from international experts whose research approaches the topic from these diverse perspectives using different methodologies, this book provides a comprehensive yet coherent and unified representation of early word learning. It will be invaluable for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in early language development as well as being of interest to researchers interested in lexical development.

Early Word Learning

Michael S. C. Thomas

Denis Mareschal

Mark H. Johnson

Professor and Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development Mark Johnson

Sylvain Sirois

Lecturer School of Psychological Sciences Sylvain Sirois

Michael Spratling

Michael W. Spratling

What are the processes, from conception to adulthood, that enable a single cell to grow into a sentient adult? This work sets out a whole new framework for considering the complex topic of development, integrating data from cognitive studies, computational work, and neuroimaging.

Neuroconstructivism: How the brain constructs cognition

Margaret Harris

This major new undergraduate textbook provides students with everything they need when studying developmental psychology. Guiding students through the key topics, the book provides both an overview of traditional research and theory as well as an insight into the latest research findings and techniques. Taking a chronological approach, the key milestones from birth to adolescence are highlighted and clear links between changes in behaviour and developments in brain activity are made. Each chapter also highlights both typical and atypical developments, as well as discussing and contrasting the effects of genetic and environmental factors. The book contains a wealth of pedagogical features to help students engage with the material, including: Learning objectives for every chapter Key term definitions Over 100 colour illustrations Chapter summaries Further reading Suggested essay questions. A Student’s Guide to Developmental Psychology is supported by a companion website, featuring a range of helpful supplementary resources including exclusive video clips to illustrate key developmental concepts. This book is essential reading for all undergraduate students of developmental psychology. It will also be of interest to those in education, healthcare and other subjects requiring an up-to-date and accessible overview of child development.

A Student's Guide to Developmental Psychology

Gert Westermann

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