The Emergence of Symbols: Cognition and Communication in Infancy (Language, Thought, and Culture)

Explores the nature and origin of symbols, the interdependence of language and thought, and the parallels between development of an individual (ontogeny) and development of a group (phylogeny) The Emergence of Symbols: Cognition and Communication in Infancy provides information pertinent to the nature and origin of symbols, the interdependence of language and thought, and the parallels between phylogeny and ontogeny. This book clarifies some of the conceptual and methodological issues involved in the search for prerequisites to language. Organized into seven chapters, this book begins with an overview of the distinction between homology and analogy in the study of linguistic and nonlinguistic developments. This text then explains the conceptual and operational definitions for such controversial terms as intention, convention, and symbolic behavior. Other chapters consider the limits and advantages of the correlational method as applied in the research. This book discusses as well the structure and content of early symbol use, both in language and in play. The final chapter examines the processes that underlie imitation and tool use, as they contribute to the child's analysis of his culture. This book is a valuable resource for neural biologists, psychologists, and social scientists. Content: LANGUAGE, THOUGHT, AND CULTURE: Advances in the Study of Cognition, Page ii Front Matter, Page iii Copyright, Page iv Dedication, Page v PREFACE, Pages xi-xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, Pages xv-xvi Chapter 1 - ON THE EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SYMBOLS, Pages 1-32 Chapter 2 - INTENTIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND SYMBOLS, Pages 33-68 Chapter 3 - COGNITION AND COMMUNICATION FROM NINE TO THIRTEEN MONTHS: CORRELATIONAL FINDINGS, Pages 69-140 Chapter 4 - FIRST WORDS IN LANGUAGE AND ACTION: A QUALITATIVE LOOK, Pages 141-222 Chapter 5 - RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COGNITION, COMMUNICATION, AND QUALITY OF ATTACHMENT, Pages 223-269 Chapter 6 - NEXT STEPS: A FOLLOW-UP STUDY AND SOME PILOT RESEARCH, Pages 271-313 Chapter 7 - THE BIOLOGY OF SYMBOLS: SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS, Pages 315-370 REFERENCES, Pages 371-381 INDEX, Pages 383-387 Elizabeth Bates, With The Collaboration Of Laura Benigni ... [et Al.]. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 371-381.