The development of color categories in two languages: a longitudinal study

Abstract

This study unites investigations into the linguistic relativity of color categories with research on children's category acquisition. Naming, comprehension, and memory for colors were tracked in 2 populations over a 3-year period. Children from a seminomadic equatorial African culture, whose language contains 5 color terms, were compared with a group of English children. Despite differences in visual environment, language, and education, they showed similar patterns of term acquisition. Both groups acquired color vocabulary slowly and with great individual variation. Those knowing no color terms made recognition errors based on perceptual distance, and the influence of naming on memory increased with age. An initial perceptually driven color continuum appears to be progressively organized into sets appropriate to each culture and language. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved

Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Psychology
College of Health & Life Sciences > Clinical and Systems Neuroscience
College of Health & Life Sciences
Additional Information: Roberson, D., Davidoff, J., Davies, I. R. L., & Shapiro, L. R. (2004). The Development of Color Categories in Two Languages: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 133(4), 554-571.
Publication ISSN: 1939-2222
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2023 10:06
Date Deposited: 28 Apr 2010 14:11
Full Text Link: 10.1037/0096-3445.133.4.554
Related URLs:
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2004-12
Authors: Roberson, Debi
Davidoff, Jules
Davies, Ian R.L.
Shapiro, Laura R.

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