Abstract
Free word associations of children and adults are compared to test the theory of three phases in intellectual development. Children (ages 3–4) gave significantly more “primitive” associations to 22 common nouns; adults (ages 19–24) evidenced a greater tendency to use abstract or “logical” relationships. Both groups gave an approximately equal number of the intermediate “physical” response. Implications for the general theory and the relationship to language acquisition are discussed.
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Appreciation is extended to Dr. K. F. Riegel for his aid and comments.
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Wertheim, J., Geiwitz, P.J. Free word associations of children and adults. Psychon Sci 4, 57–58 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342174
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342174