Which constraint describes mapping a new word to the whole object rather than a part or property?

Which constraint describes mapping a new word to the whole object rather than a part or property?

• A. Part-whole mapping.
• B. Attribute mapping.
• C. Substitution mapping.
• D. Whole-object mapping.

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is the whole-object mapping constraint in early word learning. This principle says that when kids hear a new label, they tend to map it to the entire object rather than to a part of the object or a property of it. This bias helps them form stable, generalizable word meanings quickly. For example, if shown a dog and given a novel word, a child will assume the word refers to the whole dog, not just a part like the tail or a feature like color. That’s why the option describing whole-object mapping is the best description here. Mapping to a part would be part-whole mapping, and mapping to a color or other property would be an attribute mapping, which are different constraints.

The idea being tested is the whole-object mapping constraint in early word learning. This principle says that when kids hear a new label, they tend to map it to the entire object rather than to a part of the object or a property of it. This bias helps them form stable, generalizable word meanings quickly. For example, if shown a dog and given a novel word, a child will assume the word refers to the whole dog, not just a part like the tail or a feature like color. That’s why the option describing whole-object mapping is the best description here. Mapping to a part would be part-whole mapping, and mapping to a color or other property would be an attribute mapping, which are different constraints.