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Evidentiality and suggestibility: A new research venue
Author(s) -
Aydin Çağla,
Ceci Stephen J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
new directions for child and adolescent development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1534-8687
pISSN - 1520-3247
DOI - 10.1002/cd.251
Subject(s) - suggestibility , evidentiality , psychology , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , linguistics , philosophy
Recent research suggests that acquisition of mental‐state language may influence conceptual development. We examine this possibility by investigating the conceptual links between evidentiality in language and suggestibility. Young children are disproportionately suggestible and tend to change their reports or memories when questioned. The authors discuss the extent to which components of mental‐state understanding, specifically representational understanding and understanding origins of knowledge, are implicated in improvements in resistance to suggestions and comprehending evidentiality. The authors also review social‐psychological evidence that has implications for evidential understanding. Integration of the literature on both topics is followed by suggestions for new research directions. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.