the multifaceted nature of word learning (using multiple measurements) as well as the
importance of other parameters for word learning.
The present research aims to investigate some of the important parameters for lexical
acquisition from context through various lexical tasks in order to unfold the multifaced
nature of word learning. The parameters to be investigated, in a series of two experiments,
are child based factors, as well as the nature of the input and the lexicon. In that way the
present research will evaluate some of the current theoretical models for lexical
acquisition.
1.3 The structure of the thesis
This thesis is divided into eight chapters. Chapter 1 starts with an introduction to the
thesis, raises the problem of the present research and concludes with the structure of the
thesis. Chapter 2 includes a critical review of the literature on lexical acquisition. What
is involved in the acquisition of word meaning, theories on how the word meaning is
represented in the mental lexicon are discussed. The different capacities (linguistic,
conceptual) which underlie the word learning process are also considered. The chapter
concludes with a description of Sternberg’s and Powell’s (1983) theory of word learning
from context.
Chapter 3 presents a discussion of relevant experimental studies for the role of input and
other child based factors for lexical acquisition. Evidence from both traditional fast
mapping studies as well as from more naturalistic situations such as listening to stories is
discussed. Then, evidence for the role of child based factors such as phonological memory
and existing vocabulary is discussed. The chapter concludes with a critical discussion on
issues of assessing vocabulary knowledge. Chapter 4 develops the discussion of
methodological issues and introduces the aims of Experiment 1. Then the pilot study for
Experiment 1 is presented and the chapter concludes with implications from the pilot
study and the rationale of Experiment 1.
Chapter 5 presents the aim, methods design and results of Experiment 1. In the first
experiment child based factors (age, short-term phonological memory and existing
vocabulary knowledge) and the nature of the input (single exposure to different linguistic
22
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