The intersensory origins of word comprehension: an ecological-dynamic systems view

How do infants begin to understand spoken words? Recent research suggests t hat word comprehension develops from the early detection of intersensory re lations between conventionally paired auditory speech patterns (words) and visible objects or actions. More importantly, in keeping with dynamic syste ms principles, the findings suggest that word comprehension develops from a dynamic and complementary relationship between the organism (the infant) a nd the environment (language addressed to the infant). In addition, paralle l findings from speech and non-speech studies of intersensory perception pr ovide evidence for domain general processes in the development of word comp rehension. These research findings contrast with the view that a lexical ac quisition device with specific lexical principles and innate constraints is required for early word comprehension. Furthermore, they suggest that lear ning of word-object relations is not merely, an associative process. The da ta support an alternative view of the developmental process that emphasizes the dynamic and reciprocal interactions between general intersensory perce ption, selective attention and learning-in infants, and the specific charac teristics of maternal communication.