Learning to Solve Complex Propositions: Does knowledge of truth-values bootstrap modal operators?

Evaluating complex propositions requires evaluating truth-values and assigning modal operators. Previous research suggested that evaluating truth-values may be the key to assigning modal operators. This study placed 111 third and fifth grade children in one of three training conditions: no training, training truth-value assignment, and training truth-value and modal operator assignment. The results indicate that truth-value assignment training is sufficient to significantly improve children’s evaluations of complex propositions.