Genie Wiley Case Study and Language Acquisition Theories

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Questions and Answers

How old was Genie when she was discovered in 1970?

What type of reinforcement may Genie have received when she made noise?

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement (correct)

Punishment

None of the above

What word did Genie initially seem to recognize, aside from her name?

sorry

What level did Genie score at regarding her mental abilities?

the level of a 1-year old Signup and view all the answers

What method of communication could Genie use despite her difficulties with language?

communicate nonverbally Signup and view all the answers

Match the following groups to their beliefs about language acquisition:

Nativists = Believe that the capacity for language is innate Empiricists = Suggest that environmental variables play a key role Signup and view all the answers

Who suggested that acquiring language could not be explained by learning alone?

Noam Chomsky Signup and view all the answers

What does Eric Lenneberg suggest about the ability to acquire language?

It is subject to critical periods Signup and view all the answers

What two stages did Genie progress through as she started to learn language?

learning single words and putting two words together Signup and view all the answers

After how long of treatment did Genie begin putting three words together occasionally?

1 year Signup and view all the answers

What hurdle did Genie face in her language development?

apply grammatical rules Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis does Genie's inability to use grammar after puberty support?

Critical period hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What did Genie lack during her childhood that impacted her development?

cognitive stimulation Signup and view all the answers

What was Genie identified as having as an infant, according to a pediatrician?

mental retardation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words could Genie speak?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What did Susan Curtiss say about Genie's ability to express thoughts?

Her thoughts were virtually never verbally encoded Signup and view all the answers

Who stated, 'The lights were on' when describing Genie's intelligence?

Susan Curtiss Signup and view all the answers

What did Genie show regarding the age limit of lexicon?

Seemed to have no age limit Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Genie Wiley Case Study

Genie Wiley, discovered in 1970, was severely deprived of social interaction and confined to a small room.
She potentially experienced negative reinforcement; her father would beat her when she made noise.
Initially, Genie could only recognize her name and the word "sorry."
Her silence indicated a mental ability level similar to that of a 1-year-old; assessed through limited language testing.
Despite language acquisition difficulties, she communicated nonverbally effectively, according to Susan Curtiss.

Theories of Language Acquisition

Nativists believe in an innate capacity for language, while empiricists highlight the importance of environmental influences on language learning.
Noam Chomsky, a leading nativist, proposed the existence of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD), which facilitates rapid language learning once exposure occurs.
Eric Lenneberg introduced the idea of critical periods in language acquisition, asserting that this sensitivity for learning lasts until about age 12, after which language learning becomes significantly more challenging.

Language Development Progress

Genie initially scored at the developmental level of a 1-year-old but made progress by learning single words and gradually combining two words together, mimicking typical child language development.
After one year of treatment, she occasionally formed sentences of three words; however, she never experienced a “language explosion,” a normal subsequent stage of language development.
Her language abilities plateaued, and she did not grasp grammatical rules, indicating a halted progression in language acquisition.

Critical Period Hypothesis

Chomsky stated that while Genie learned some language post-puberty, her failure to use grammar underscored the critical period hypothesis.
Genie suffered from significant cognitive deprivation, being malnourished and lacking cognitive stimulation throughout her formative years, complicating her language development.

Intelligence and Cognitive Assessment

It was unclear if Genie had pre-existing cognitive deficits; a pediatrician previously noted some mental delay in her infancy. This raised questions about whether her abuse caused additional cognitive impairments or if she had inherent issues.
Genie's vocabulary included a few words like "blue," "orange," "mother," and "go," but she remained largely silent.

Thoughts and Communication

Susan Curtiss remarked that Genie's thoughts were not typically verbally encoded, indicating a separation between language and thought, suggesting alternative thinking modalities.
Curtiss noted signs of intelligence in Genie, such as storytelling with pictures and complex structures made from sticks, indicating cognitive capabilities despite her language limitations.

Language Acquisition Observations

Genie's case revealed that while vocabulary (lexicon) acquisition had no apparent age limit, mastering grammar and sentence formation proved insurmountable for her, reinforcing theories about critical periods and language learning constraints.

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Description

This quiz explores the case of Genie Wiley, a girl subjected to extreme isolation and its effects on her language development. It delves into linguistic theories, contrasting nativist and empiricist views, and highlights key figures like Noam Chomsky and Eric Lenneberg. Test your understanding of the interplay between environment and innate abilities in language learning.