Development of the structure of color categories

Abstract

Previous investigators have argued that basic color categories are structured in terms of a universal focal area with varying boundaries. In the present study 2 developmental implications were investiaged: (a) that foci for color categories become established and are stabilized earlier than boundaries and (b) that focal judgments are always more stable than boundary judgments. A total of 20 kindergartners, 40 3rd graders, and 40 adults served in 3 color designation experiments modeled after those of B. Berlin and P. Kay (1969). Means and variances of focal and boundary judgments for the 8 basic chromatic terms were determined for the 3 groups. In general, both hypotheses were supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1975 American Psychological Association.