While visiting her grandma, Buttercup becomes somewhat restless. In an attempt to comfort Buttercup, her grandmother says, "Why don't you play with the doll in my bedroom?" Buttercup goes to get the doll but returns crying and says, "That's not doll. Doll has red hair and sleeps in my room." Buttercup's behavior is best explained by
A) the cardinality principle.
B) the primary circular reaction effect.
C) telegraphic speech.
D) underextension.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Buttercup's behavior is best explained by underextension, which occurs when a child inappropriately restricts the use of a word to a particular case. In this scenario, Buttercup uses the term "doll" only for the specific doll with red hair that sleeps in her room, not recognizing that the term could apply to other dolls as well.

While Visiting Her Grandma, Buttercup Becomes Somewhat Restless