Cognitive Development, 2000, 15(3), 347-365.
Four experiments consider some of the circumstances under which children
follow two different rule-pairs when sorting cards. Previous research has
repeatedly found that 3-year-olds encounter substantial difficulties implementing
the second of two conflicting rule sets, despite their knowledge of these
rules. One interpretation of this phenomenon (CCC theory) is that 3-year-olds
have problems establishing an appropriate hierarchical ordering for rules.
The present data suggest an alternative account of children's card sorting
behaviour, according to which the cognitive salience of test card features
may be more important than inflexibility with respect to rule representation.