Flexible memory retrieval in bilingual 6‐month‐old infants

• DOI: 10.1002/dev.21188
• Publication Date: 2013-12-07T11:51:04Z
• Authors: Natalie Brito; Rachel Barr
• Keywords: Feature (linguistics); Memory development

Memory flexibility is a hallmark of the human memory system. As indexed by generalization between perceptually dissimilar objects, develops gradually during infancy. A recent study has found bilingual advantage in at 18 months age [Brito and Barr [2012] Developmental Science, 15, 812-816], present examines when this may first emerge. In current study, 6-month-olds were more likely than monolinguals to generalize puppet that differed two features (shape color) monolingual 6-month-olds. When challenged with less complex change, puppets only one feature--color, also able generalize. These findings demonstrate early emerging differences infants, have important implications for our understanding how environmental variations shape trajectory development.