Preschoolers Use Probabilistic Evidence to Flexibly Change or Maintain Expectations on an Active Search Task

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Preschoolers Use Probabilistic Evidence to Flexibly Change or Maintain Expectations on an Active Search Task
Language: English
Authors: Brooke C. Hilton (ORCID 0009-0007-2059-751X), Mark A. Sabbagh (ORCID 0000-0003-2938-6288)
Source: Child Development. 2025 96(2):881-890.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Preschool Children, Probability, Evidence, Educational Games, Search Strategies, Expectation, Change, Student Behavior
DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14190
ISSN: 0009-3920
1467-8624
Abstract: This study investigated 3- to 5-year-olds' (N = 64, 37 girls, 62.5% White, data collected between 2021-2022) ability to use probabilistic information gleaned through active search to appropriately change or maintain expectations. In an online fishing game, children first learned that one of two ponds was good for catching fish. During a subsequent testing phase, children searched the ponds for fish. Half saw outcomes that were probabilistically consistent with training, and the other half saw outcomes that were probabilistically inconsistent. Children in the Inconsistent condition adapted their search strategies, showing evidence of changing their expectations. Those in the Consistent condition maintained their initial search strategy. Trial-by-trial analyses suggested that children used a combination of heuristic and information integration strategies to guide their search behavior.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/92meh/?view_only=86830b0d6e7143b0925a6c86578a3b8f
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1461456
Database: ERIC
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