While visiting her grandma, Winona becomes somewhat restless. In an attempt to comfort Winona, her grandmother says, "Why don't you play with the doll in my bedroom?" Winona goes to get the doll but returns crying and says, "That's not doll. Doll has red hair and sleeps in my room." Winona'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

Winona's behavior is best explained by underextension, which is the tendency for children to apply a word to a limited set of objects or actions. In this case, Winona has a specific idea of what the word "doll" means and only applies it to the one in her room with red hair. She does not extend this label to the doll in her grandmother's room, leading her to become upset and cry.

While Visiting Her Grandma, Winona Becomes Somewhat Restless