| Abstract: | The problem of assessing concrete transitivity of length is explored with a non-verbal design employing nine sets of three sticks each. A training phase is used to establish the relevant variable to which the subjects must attend, to obtain a bead. A test phase consists of eight trials, in which the elements A, B, and C, are displayed in a systematic variation. A subject is said to display transitivity, when he more than five times in the eight trials chooses the largest of three sticks, A, on the basis of the information A > B and B 7< C. In a group of 20 children, varying in age between 52 and 80 months, half of the group, which is socio-economically upper-middle class, displayed transitivity. However, the youngest child displaying transitivity with six correct test-trials was 5 1/2 years old. The youngest child displaying transitivity with eight correct trials was 6 1/4 years old. |
