Symbolic thought

Rachel E. White; Stephanie M. Carlson; Philip David Zelazo

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.23266-5

Symbolic thought

Rachel E. White, Stephanie M. Carlson, Philip David Zelazo

Institute of Child Development

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to think in terms of symbols is a remarkable achievement in individual cognitive development, and one that interacts with cultural learning. The development of symbolic thought is described as a hierarchical process in which children come to reflect on symbols and symbol-referent relations. Factors that facilitate the development of symbolic thought are identified, as are the consequences of symbolic thought for problem solving. Topics of future research on symbolic thought include the neural correlates of reflection, the social-cultural practices that promote symbolic thought, and the precise role of symbols in childrens problem solving.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	The Curated Reference Collection in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology
Publisher	Elsevier Science Ltd.
Pages	288-297
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	9780128093245
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.23266-5
State	Published - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

Cognitive flexibility
Delay of gratification
Executive function
Imitation
Inner speech
Intentionality
Labeling
Levels of consciousness
Mediation
Memory
Perspective-taking
Pretend play
Problem solving
Reflection
Representation

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AU - Zelazo, Philip David

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KW - Delay of gratification

KW - Executive function

KW - Imitation

KW - Inner speech

KW - Intentionality

KW - Labeling

KW - Levels of consciousness

KW - Mediation

KW - Memory

KW - Perspective-taking

KW - Pretend play

KW - Problem solving

KW - Reflection

KW - Representation

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Symbolic thought

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Keywords

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