Title: Are core knowledge principles revisable?

Abstract:
The core knowledge view (Spelke & Kinzler, 2007) proposes that humans are endowed with a small number of core knowledge systems (e.g., the inanimate object system, the agent system), each accompanied by a set of principles. Previous work has shown that apparent violations of some of these core knowledge principles lead to exploration and enhanced learning in infants and preschoolers. Many of preschoolers’ beliefs about the world can also be revised given counterevidence. Are core knowledge principles also subject to revision? In this study, we investigate whether children (4- to 6-year-olds) and adults can revise their core knowledge principes when they are given counterevidence. In the first set of experiments, we focus on 3 principles in the physical domain: Solidity (objects cannot occupy the same space as other objects), Continuity (objects exist and move continuously in time and space), and Contact (objects do not interact at a distance). In the second set of experiments, we focus on 3 principles in the psychological domain: Efficiency (agents choose efficient means to achieve their goals), Goal (agents’ intentional actions are directed to goals), and Sampling (agents’ preferences can be inferred based on violations of random sampling). The findings suggest that children and adults can revise their beliefs about these principles, but we also found interesting variability across domains and principles. Lastly, I will talk about an ongoing study investigating whether infants (10- to 14-month-olds) can also revise their core knowledge principles given counterevidence.