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Domain-specific learning
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<p>Domain-specific learning theories of <a href="/facts/Developmental_psychology/Myy826TQ">development</a> hold that we have many independent, specialised knowledge structures (domains), rather than one cohesive knowledge structure. Thus, training in one domain may not impact another independent domain. <a href="/facts/Domain-general_learning/EqeDhlHY">Domain-general</a> views instead suggest that children possess a "general developmental function" where skills are interrelated through a single <a href="/facts/Cognition/ga0tSBul">cognitive</a> system. Therefore, whereas domain-general theories would propose that acquisition of <a href="/facts/Language/IRcTok2q">language</a> and <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematical</a> skill are developed by the same broad set of cognitive skills, domain-specific theories would propose that they are <a href="/facts/Genetics/bu8wne0A">genetically</a>, <a href="/facts/Neurology/TXYEMSYI">neurologically</a> and <a href="/facts/Computational_neuroscience/eclSYyJK">computationally</a> independent. </p><p><a href="/facts/Domain_specificity/mBesg500">Domain specificity</a> has been supported by a variety of theorists. An early supporter was <a href="/facts/Jerry_Fodor/krKQL6MI">Jerry Fodor</a>, who argued that the <a href="/facts/Mind/Y5JhtFj4">mind</a> functions partly, by innate, domain-specific mental modules. In <a href="/facts/Modularity_of_mind/F2EcvPfE">Modularity of Mind</a>, Fodor proposed the <i>Hypothesis of Modest Modularity</i>, stating that input systems such as <a href="/facts/Perception/xLK0n2q4">perception</a> and <a href="/facts/Language/IRcTok2q">language</a> are modular, whereas central systems such as <i>belief fixation</i> and <a href="/facts/Practical_reason/lNVkg44d">practical reasoning</a> are not. By contrast, <a href="/facts/Evolutionary_psychology/hWbw0V9j">evolutionary psychologists</a> have supported the <i>Massive Modularity Hypothesis,</i> arguing that the mind is not just partially, but completely modular, composed of domain-specific modules genetically shaped by <a href="/facts/Evolutionary_pressure/8zrwXR50">selection pressures</a> to carry out innate and complex functions. Core knowledge theorists such as <a href="/facts/Elizabeth_Spelke/0wPYXHR9">Elizabeth Spelke</a> hold that knowledge can be separated into a few, highly specialised, domain-specific bodies. </p>