Understanding Logical Extension in Cognitive Development

What is Logical Extension and how is it applied in real-life situations?

Colby has been told his aunt Tamara is a redhead. Later he refers to his copper-colored guinea pig as a redhead. What strategy is Colby using in this example?

Answer:

Colby is using the strategy of logical extension by applying the characteristic of his aunt being a redhead to his guinea pig's copper-colored fur.

Logical extension is a cognitive strategy that involves extending a concept or characteristic to new situations based on similarities. In this case, Colby is extending the characteristic of having red hair to his guinea pig's copper-colored fur, based on the similarity of the colors.

This type of thinking is common in children as they learn new concepts and make connections between them. It helps them to generalize and apply their knowledge to new situations.

However, it can also lead to misconceptions if the extension is not accurate or appropriate to the new situation.