Life‐history research with children: Extending and enriching the approach

Interrelationships of factors of social development are more complex than Life History Theory predicts

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x19000177 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Boris Kotchoubey

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Social Development ◽

Life History Theory ◽

Strong Correlations ◽

Behavioral Features

Abstract Life History Theory (LHT) predicts a monotonous relationship between affluence and the rate of innovations and strong correlations within a cluster of behavioral features. Although both predictions can be true in specific cases, they are incorrect in general. Therefore, the author's explanations may be right, but they do not prove LHT and cannot be generalized to other apparently similar processes.

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The Effect of Symbol Background Color on the Speed of Locating Targets by Adults Without Disabilities: Implications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Display Design

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1482-1488

Author(s):

Jennifer J. Thistle

Keyword(s):

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Reaction Times ◽

The Other ◽

Background Color ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Display Design ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Research With Children ◽

Study Participants ◽

Perceptual Factors

Purpose Previous research with children with and without disabilities has demonstrated that visual–perceptual factors can influence the speech of locating a target on an array. Adults without disabilities often facilitate the learning and use of a child's augmentative and alternative communication system. The current research examined how the presence of symbol background color influenced the speed with which adults without disabilities located target line drawings in 2 studies. Method Both studies used a between-subjects design. In the 1st study, 30 adults (ages 18–29 years) located targets in a 16-symbol array. In the 2nd study, 30 adults (ages 18–34 years) located targets in a 60-symbol array. There were 3 conditions in each study: symbol background color, symbol background white with a black border, and symbol background white with a color border. Results In the 1st study, reaction times across groups were not significantly different. In the 2nd study, participants in the symbol background color condition were significantly faster than participants in the other conditions, and participants in the symbol background white with black border were significantly slower than participants in the other conditions. Conclusion Communication partners may benefit from the presence of background color, especially when supporting children using displays with many symbols.

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