Categorizing Ability by Kindergartners of High and Low Socio-Economic Status
Two studies were conducted to explore the performance of categorizing ability in kindergartners and to compare children from high and low socio-economic backgrounds. Ss were tested in small groups with a representative sub-group interviewed to extend responses. Ss showed a rigid one-to-one perceptual focusing strategy and an attribute preference for shape over size and pattern. Ss of high status consistently scored higher on categorizing than Ss of low status, but the performance profiles of the two groups were very similar.