Psychological Development and Education ›› 2002, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (4): 11-16.

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Young Children’s Ability of Causal Inferences in Different Patterns of Variation and Covariation

HU Qing-fen, LIN Chong-de   

  1. Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Online:2002-10-15 Published:2002-10-15

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Abstract: The present study investigated how young children make accurate causal inferences on the basis of five patterns of variation and covariation.The results were as follows: (1) In these different patterns of variation and covariation,the children showed different ability in reasoning and they have more difficulty in some special patterns.(2) The children's ability of causal inferences in these five patterns developed in order.(3) The children's performance didn't improved according to the increasing in times of contingency.(4) Children use the information of different patterns of variation and covariation,rather than times of contingency of potential cause and effect in their causal inferences.

Key words: patterns of variation and covariation, times of contingency, causal inference

CLC Number: 

  • B842.5
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