Language Acquisition in Animals and Itard's Work

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Questions and Answers

What do pro-intelligence theorists believe about animals and language acquisition?

Animals can develop language skills on their own.

Animals are more intelligent than humans in learning language.

Animals possess a special innate ability for language.

Animals lack the necessary intelligence for complex language learning. (correct)

What is Chomsky's main argument regarding animals learning language?

The complex capacity for language would be used naturally by animals if present. (correct)

Human language is inferior compared to animal communication systems.

Animals require human intervention to develop any linguistic skills.

Animals have an innate grammar ability that is suppressed.

According to the content, what is a common view among empiricists about animals?

Animals have a comprehensive understanding of grammar.

Animals are devoid of intelligence that allows for language learning. (correct)

Animals cannot learn language due to lack of motivation.

Animals possess minimal intelligence only relevant to survival.

Which statement would likely be supported by rationalists regarding animals and language?

Animals are born without an innate language ability. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about the capacity of animals for grammar-based language?

Animals possess no significant capacity for grammar-based language. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Itard's educational program for Victor?

Socialization and language training Signup and view all the answers

What animal-like behavior did Victor exhibit before his education began?

He made guttural, animal-like noises Signup and view all the answers

Which sound was Victor able to repeat that indicated progress in his speech training?

Li Signup and view all the answers

What challenge did Itard face while trying to teach Victor speech?

Victor could not associate speech sounds with language Signup and view all the answers

From whom did Victor learn to say the phrase 'Oh Dieu'?

Madame Guérin Signup and view all the answers

What was Victor's original name before Itard named him?

The Wild Boy Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the first words Victor learned related to his needs?

Milk Signup and view all the answers

What kind of environment was Victor later introduced to for speech training?

An institute for the deaf Signup and view all the answers

What enables dolphins to understand new sentences according to the content?

Understanding component words and their relations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following demonstrates that dolphins can respond to commands they have never encountered before?

Responding correctly to the sentence ‘person left frisbee fetch’ Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the dolphin's communication was notably researched by Herman?

Ability to report the absence of objects Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of Akea to the question ‘Is there a frisbee?’?

She signaled with a 'yes' or 'no' paddle Signup and view all the answers

How does Herman justify that dolphins do not only exhibit stimulus-response shaped behavior?

They demonstrate cognitive reasoning abilities Signup and view all the answers

What type of questioning allowed Akea to showcase her understanding of commands?

Simple binary questions Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is highlighted in Herman's research regarding dolphin communication?

Dolphins can signal both presence and absence of objects Signup and view all the answers

What were the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ paddles used for in the dolphin experiments?

Answering questions about objects Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for language learning to take place in children?

Early exposure to various forms of language Signup and view all the answers

Which two factors significantly influence language learning success?

Exposure to language and extent of non-linguistic trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why Victor's language learning progress could not be fully assessed?

Lack of information regarding his early life and exposure to language Signup and view all the answers

What aspect regarding Victor's early life remains unknown?

The intention behind his abandonment Signup and view all the answers

What does recent research suggest about the minimum intelligence required to survive in the wild?

Above average or better intelligence is necessary Signup and view all the answers

What limitation applies to the understanding of Victor's language capabilities?

A significant amount of trauma can affect language learning Signup and view all the answers

What issue complicates the evaluation of Victor's language skills?

Unknown variables surrounding his early exposure to humans Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about abandoned children and language learning?

Early exposure to language is critical for successful language acquisition Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Kelloggs in raising Gua together with their son Donald?

To determine if a chimpanzee could learn language like a human child. Signup and view all the answers

What significant observation did the Kelloggs report about Gua's ability compared to Donald's?

Donald surpassed Gua in learning over time. Signup and view all the answers

How many spoken words, phrases, and sentences did Gua learn to respond to appropriately?

95 Signup and view all the answers

During the study, what aspect of Gua's communication was notably absent?

Any form of verbal articulation. Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment was Gua raised in?

An ordinary speech environment without specific language training. Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral responses did Gua demonstrate in relation to spoken commands?

She responded appropriately to various spoken commands. Signup and view all the answers

What was the age difference between Gua and Donald?

Donald was born first by three months. Signup and view all the answers

What skill did the researchers note Gua had in comparison to Donald?

Exceptional ability to learn by imitation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant difference between Viki and Gua in terms of learning?

Gua showed a much higher degree of learning compared to Viki. Signup and view all the answers

What did the researchers focus too heavily on during their studies with Viki?

Speech production Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Gardners choose to teach sign language to Washoe?

Chimps do not possess the vocal apparatus necessary for human speech. Signup and view all the answers

Which chimpanzee was selected for language research after Viki?

Kanzi Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers train Kanzi and Mulika?

By pointing to a keyboard while speaking in English. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about chimp language learning based on the comparison of speech comprehension and production?

Speech comprehension is usually ahead of speech production. Signup and view all the answers

What was one possible factor affecting Gua’s degree of learning?

Gua's interaction with her sibling, Donald. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words could Viki reportedly say?

mama Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wild and Isolated Children and Critical Age for Language

People have always wondered if language is natural like walking or smiling, and if children can produce speech without experiencing language.
Ethical considerations prevent experiments on language deprivation in children, so scientists look for naturally occurring cases (e.g., feral children).
Feral children are those raised by animals (e.g., wolves, dogs, pigs).
Recent cases of Ukrainian children raised by dogs exist.
Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron, was discovered in 1800 in France.
Itard, Victor's educator, tried teaching him speech but failed.
Itard instead focused on perceptual training, with some success.
Genie, discovered at age 13, was isolated and mistreated since early childhood.
Genie made slow progress in understanding language, but achieved some improvement.
Isabelle, confined with a mute mother, demonstrated language learning after being discovered at age 6.5 years.
Isabelle showed significant progress in language ability, within months.
Chelsea, discovered at age 32, was initially misdiagnosed as retarded and deaf.

Animals and Language Learning

Some people wonder if animals can communicate like humans.
The dream of Dr Doolittle (speaking animal languages) represents this.
Animals in general, particularly great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans), have been studied regarding language.
Gua, a chimpanzee raised with a human child, did not develop language.
Viki, another chimpanzee, learned a few sounds and words.
Washoe, a chimpanzee, learned sign language.
Kanzi, a bonobo, understands and uses symbols.
Alex, an African Grey parrot, has learned to understand and use a large vocabulary.
Rico, a border collie, understands over 200 different words.

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Description

This quiz explores theories on language acquisition in animals, including pro-intelligence views and Chomsky's arguments. It also delves into Itard's educational program for Victor, examining his progress and challenges during speech training. Test your knowledge on the capacity of animals for grammar-based language and their unique learning experiences.