A child's ability to make connections between new words and referents so rapidly that they cannot be considering all possible meanings for the new word is referred to as
A)overregularization.
B)underextension.
C)overextension.
D)fast mapping.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "fast mapping" refers to a child's ability to quickly connect a new word with its referent, often after just a few exposures to the word. This process is thought to involve cognitive mechanisms such as hypothesizing, elimination, and inference, as well as the child's existing knowledge of language and the world. Fast mapping allows children to acquire a large vocabulary in a relatively short period of time, and is considered an important skill in early language development. Options A, B, and C are all related to specific types of word learning errors or limitations, but do not capture the rapid and efficient process of fast mapping.

A Child's Ability to Make Connections Between New Words and Referents