SEMANTIC FACTORS IN CONSERVATION OF WEIGHT

The performance of first- and second-grade Ss was analyzed on eight con nota five-denotative discrimination problems and seven conservation-of-weight problems, each of which represented physical dimensions that are highly correlated on the semantic differential potency factor. The results indicated that Ss who made correct denotative discriminations performed significantly better on the conservation of weight problems than Ss who were unable to discriminate connotative from denotative meaning. The ability to make correct denotative discriminations is acquired prior to weight conservation and is perhaps a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for conservation of weight. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.