Researchers had 4-year-old children sort picture cards by shape and then asked the children to sort the same cards by color. They found that children under the age of 4 had difficulty changing to a new sorting pattern. This outcome illustrates the 4-year-old's tendency for_____.

Question

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Perseveration refers to the tendency to continue using a previous rule or strategy when faced with a new problem or task, even when that rule or strategy is no longer appropriate. The fact that children under the age of 4 had difficulty changing their sorting pattern indicates that they were perseverating on the previous shape-based rule and had difficulty shifting to a new color-based rule.

Researchers Had 4-Year-Old Children Sort Picture Cards by Shape and Then