Children's Comprehension of Causal Constructions with "Because''and "So"

Abstract

BEBOUT, L. J.; SEGALOWITZ, S. J.; and WMTE, G. J. Children's Comprehension of Causal Constructions with and So. CmLD DDEVELOPMENT, 1980, 51, 565-568. Complex sentences with the causal conjunction because can describe 2 events either in causeeffect order (Because Y, X, so Y) or in reversed order (Y because X). Although the reversed pattern is as frequent or more frequent in spoken English, it was hypothesized that young children would have more trouble interpreting instructions given in Y because X form than the Because Y. We found that children in grade 1 do systematically misinterpret the reversedorder constructions, while by grade 4 near-perfect comprehension is shown. Near-perfect comprehension is shown on the real-world order sentences from the start. Similarly, causal sentences with so, which also follow real-world order, are interpreted correctly at all ages. Clark's congruency hypothesis for temporal conjunctions can thus be extended to causal conjunctions.