What is "according to research on differences in word growth?

Research on differences in word growth reveals several key areas:

  • Age of Acquisition: Studies consistently show that words acquired earlier in life are typically processed faster and more accurately than words learned later. This early advantage influences later vocabulary development.

  • Frequency Effects: High-frequency words (words used often) are recognized and produced more readily than low-frequency words. Repeated exposure strengthens neural pathways, making access to these words quicker.

  • Contextual Richness: The variety and depth of contexts in which a word is encountered influence its semantic representation and ease of retrieval. Richer contexts lead to more robust word knowledge.

  • Morphological Complexity: The structure of words (e.g., whether they have prefixes or suffixes) affects processing. Morphologically complex words may be decomposed into their constituent morphemes during processing, influencing retrieval time.

  • Individual Differences: Factors such as vocabulary size, reading ability, and language learning aptitude significantly impact word growth trajectories. Some individuals acquire vocabulary more rapidly than others.

  • Semantic Category: Certain semantic categories (e.g., concrete nouns) are generally acquired earlier and processed more easily than others (e.g., abstract nouns). Concreteness facilitates word learning.