Colby's Cognitive Strategy: Logical Extension

Understanding Logical Extension

Logical extension is a cognitive strategy that involves extending the meaning of a word beyond its original context to apply it to a new situation. In Colby's case, he learned that his aunt Tamara is a redhead, which created a mental association between the term 'redhead' and her hair color. When he later saw his guinea pig with copper-colored fur, he extended the term 'redhead' to describe the guinea pig's fur based on this association.

Example with Abdul

Imagine a scenario where a child named Abdul learns that 'cookie' refers to a sweet treat. If Abdul then sees a biscuit for the first time and calls it a cookie, he is using logical extension by applying the term 'cookie' to a similar food item based on his previous knowledge.

This cognitive strategy is a common developmental milestone in language acquisition and shows the flexibility of children's minds in adapting and expanding their vocabulary based on new experiences. By using logical extension, children can navigate and make sense of the infinite complexities of language and meaning.

Overall, logical extension allows individuals to generalize and apply their understanding of words in various contexts, showcasing the richness and versatility of language acquisition.