Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of a morpheme?
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of a morpheme?
- The arrangement of words in the sentence, 'The cat sat on the mat.'
- The word 'replayed' consisting of 're-', 'play', and '-ed', each contributing to the word's overall meaning. (correct)
- The individual sounds /k/, /a/, and /t/ combining to form the word 'cat'.
- Understanding that the word 'run' can refer to both the act of running and a defect in tights.
A child is in the early stages of language development and mainly uses single words to communicate. Which stage of language development is this child most likely in?
A child is in the early stages of language development and mainly uses single words to communicate. Which stage of language development is this child most likely in?
- Babbling stage
- One-word stage (correct)
- Telegraphic speech stage
- Two-word stage
Damage to Wernicke's area in the brain is most likely to cause which of the following impairments?
Damage to Wernicke's area in the brain is most likely to cause which of the following impairments?
- Inability to produce fluent speech.
- Difficulty understanding language. (correct)
- Impairment in motor control of speech muscles.
- Loss of the ability to write.
According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a fundamental principle of language acquisition?
According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a fundamental principle of language acquisition?
What is the critical period hypothesis in language acquisition primarily concerned with?
What is the critical period hypothesis in language acquisition primarily concerned with?
Linguistic determinism suggests that language has what kind of effect on thought?
Linguistic determinism suggests that language has what kind of effect on thought?
Which of the following scenarios illustrates telegraphic speech?
Which of the following scenarios illustrates telegraphic speech?
How does linguistic relativism differ from linguistic determinism?
How does linguistic relativism differ from linguistic determinism?
Which of the following is an example of how language can influence perception?
Which of the following is an example of how language can influence perception?
What is the role of syntax in the structure of language?
What is the role of syntax in the structure of language?
A child says 'Mommy food' to indicate they want food from their mother. Which stage of language development does this best represent?
A child says 'Mommy food' to indicate they want food from their mother. Which stage of language development does this best represent?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between phonemes and morphemes?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between phonemes and morphemes?
A researcher is studying how quickly adults can learn a second language. Based on research about critical periods, what would you expect to find?
A researcher is studying how quickly adults can learn a second language. Based on research about critical periods, what would you expect to find?
An individual has suffered damage to Broca's area. How is their language likely to be affected?
An individual has suffered damage to Broca's area. How is their language likely to be affected?
Which provides the BEST description of the role of grammar in language?
Which provides the BEST description of the role of grammar in language?
How does the concept of linguistic relativism explain the differences in color perception among different cultures?
How does the concept of linguistic relativism explain the differences in color perception among different cultures?
A researcher is investigating whether animals can truly use language. Which of the following would be the strongest evidence against the claim that animals possess human-like language?
A researcher is investigating whether animals can truly use language. Which of the following would be the strongest evidence against the claim that animals possess human-like language?
Considering Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?
Considering Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?
Nicaraguan Sign Language developed rapidly among deaf children who had no prior common language. Which concept does this BEST illustrate?
Nicaraguan Sign Language developed rapidly among deaf children who had no prior common language. Which concept does this BEST illustrate?
What conclusion can be made about the effects of deafness on language development?
What conclusion can be made about the effects of deafness on language development?
A researcher is testing the language skills of a young child. They note that the child understands simple commands like "sit down" but primarily communicates using single words. According to typical language development, which of the following stages is the child MOST likely in?
A researcher is testing the language skills of a young child. They note that the child understands simple commands like "sit down" but primarily communicates using single words. According to typical language development, which of the following stages is the child MOST likely in?
A child is learning to speak, and their utterances consist mainly of nouns and verbs, such as 'Want juice' or 'See doggie.' This is an example of which type of speech?
A child is learning to speak, and their utterances consist mainly of nouns and verbs, such as 'Want juice' or 'See doggie.' This is an example of which type of speech?
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of syntax?
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of syntax?
Damage to which area of the brain would MOST likely result in difficulties producing fluent speech?
Damage to which area of the brain would MOST likely result in difficulties producing fluent speech?
According to the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, when would it be MOST difficult for a person to learn a new language and achieve native-like fluency?
According to the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, when would it be MOST difficult for a person to learn a new language and achieve native-like fluency?
According to linguistic relativism, how might the language a person speaks influence their perception of color?
According to linguistic relativism, how might the language a person speaks influence their perception of color?
What is the primary role of semantics in language?
What is the primary role of semantics in language?
A researcher is studying Nicaraguan Sign Language, which emerged spontaneously among deaf children. What does the development of this language demonstrate about language acquisition?
A researcher is studying Nicaraguan Sign Language, which emerged spontaneously among deaf children. What does the development of this language demonstrate about language acquisition?
A researcher compares language abilities in chimpanzees who have learned sign language to those of a human child. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence suggesting that chimpanzee communication differs fundamentally from human language?
A researcher compares language abilities in chimpanzees who have learned sign language to those of a human child. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence suggesting that chimpanzee communication differs fundamentally from human language?
According to Noam Chomsky, what is the significance of 'universal grammar' in the context of language acquisition?
According to Noam Chomsky, what is the significance of 'universal grammar' in the context of language acquisition?
How does Nicaraguan Sign Language's development among deaf children support the understanding of language acquisition?
How does Nicaraguan Sign Language's development among deaf children support the understanding of language acquisition?
A researcher is studying the brain activity of individuals learning a second language at different ages. Based on the information about brain plasticity, what is MOST likely to be observed?
A researcher is studying the brain activity of individuals learning a second language at different ages. Based on the information about brain plasticity, what is MOST likely to be observed?
What is a key distinction between linguistic determinism and linguistic relativism?
What is a key distinction between linguistic determinism and linguistic relativism?
How do the communication methods of animals, such as the alarm calls of monkeys, differ from human language?
How do the communication methods of animals, such as the alarm calls of monkeys, differ from human language?
Suppose a child is exposed to language after the age of 7. According to the critical period hypothesis, what is the MOST likely outcome?
Suppose a child is exposed to language after the age of 7. According to the critical period hypothesis, what is the MOST likely outcome?
An individual struggles to comprehend spoken language but can still produce fluent, albeit nonsensical, speech. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?
An individual struggles to comprehend spoken language but can still produce fluent, albeit nonsensical, speech. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?
A researcher is investigating how language affects the perception of colors. According to the principles of linguistic relativism, what might they expect to find?
A researcher is investigating how language affects the perception of colors. According to the principles of linguistic relativism, what might they expect to find?
A 2-year-old child is in the two-word stage of language development. Which utterance is the child MOST likely to produce?
A 2-year-old child is in the two-word stage of language development. Which utterance is the child MOST likely to produce?
How does the concept of 'grammar' relate to the building blocks of language?
How does the concept of 'grammar' relate to the building blocks of language?
A researcher is evaluating the language skills of chimpanzees taught sign language. What finding would suggest their communication differs most significantly from human language?
A researcher is evaluating the language skills of chimpanzees taught sign language. What finding would suggest their communication differs most significantly from human language?
A researcher observes that a young child consistently uses the word 'goed' instead of 'went.' Which aspect of language development does this MOST directly relate to?
A researcher observes that a young child consistently uses the word 'goed' instead of 'went.' Which aspect of language development does this MOST directly relate to?
Considering the principles of linguistic relativism, how might learning a second language that has grammatical genders (e.g., Spanish, French) affect a person's perception?
Considering the principles of linguistic relativism, how might learning a second language that has grammatical genders (e.g., Spanish, French) affect a person's perception?
Following a head injury, a patient can produce speech effortlessly, but the content is largely nonsensical. They also struggle significantly with language comprehension. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?
Following a head injury, a patient can produce speech effortlessly, but the content is largely nonsensical. They also struggle significantly with language comprehension. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?
A team of researchers is studying whether chimpanzees can truly use language. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence against the claim that chimpanzees possess human-like language?
A team of researchers is studying whether chimpanzees can truly use language. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence against the claim that chimpanzees possess human-like language?
Considering the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, which scenario would MOST likely result in the LEAST successful acquisition of a first language?
Considering the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, which scenario would MOST likely result in the LEAST successful acquisition of a first language?
If a person can fluently speak and write, but cannot understand written or spoken language, which specific type of aphasia are they MOST likely to be diagnosed with?
If a person can fluently speak and write, but cannot understand written or spoken language, which specific type of aphasia are they MOST likely to be diagnosed with?
According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?
According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?
An English speaker is learning Mandarin Chinese, a language that relies heavily on tones to differentiate word meaning. According to linguistic relativism, how might this experience influence his perception?
An English speaker is learning Mandarin Chinese, a language that relies heavily on tones to differentiate word meaning. According to linguistic relativism, how might this experience influence his perception?
A researcher is studying the language development of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following utterances would BEST exemplify telegraphic speech?
A researcher is studying the language development of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following utterances would BEST exemplify telegraphic speech?
A cognitive scientist is investigating how language shapes thought, focusing on the color perception of speakers of different languages. What approach is this scientist MOST likely using?
A cognitive scientist is investigating how language shapes thought, focusing on the color perception of speakers of different languages. What approach is this scientist MOST likely using?
Flashcards
Phoneme
Phoneme
Smallest distinctive sound unit in a language.
Morpheme
Morpheme
Smallest unit that carries meaning.
Grammar
Grammar
System of rules enabling communication, including semantics and syntax.
Semantics
Semantics
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Syntax
Syntax
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One-Word Stage
One-Word Stage
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Telegraphic Speech
Telegraphic Speech
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Linguistic Determinism
Linguistic Determinism
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Linguistic Relativism
Linguistic Relativism
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Aphasia
Aphasia
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Language
Language
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Universal Grammar
Universal Grammar
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Babbling Stage
Babbling Stage
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Critical Period (Language)
Critical Period (Language)
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Broca's vs. Wernicke's
Broca's vs. Wernicke's
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Receptive Language
Receptive Language
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Natural Language Acquisition
Natural Language Acquisition
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Language influences color
Language influences color
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Thinking in Images
Thinking in Images
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Two-Word Stage
Two-Word Stage
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Chomsky's Theory
Chomsky's Theory
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Broca's Area
Broca's Area
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Wernicke's Area
Wernicke's Area
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Babbling sounds
Babbling sounds
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Age 7
Age 7
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Study Notes
Language and Thought
- Language includes spoken, written, or signed words to communicate meaning
- Language is used to transmit civilization knowledge
- Language connects humans forming the foundation for communication and relationships
Language Structure
- Phoneme – Smallest distinctive sound unit (e.g., "bat" has /b/ /a/ /t/)
- Morpheme – Smallest unit that carries meaning (e.g., "unhappiness" has un-, happy, -ness)
- Grammar – Rules enabling communication
- Semantics derive meaning from sounds
- Syntax orders words into sentences
- Language is structured for clarity with phonemes forming morphemes, and grammar governs these structures
Noam Chomsky's Theory
- All languages share a universal grammar, a set of basic elements
- Humans are born with a built-in predisposition to learn grammar rules, not a specific language
Other Theories
- Children learn grammar by discerning patterns
- Languages are structurally diverse
- Language learning may be more about experience than innate grammar
Creating a Language
- Nicaraguan young deaf children invented Nicaraguan Sign Language with words and grammar
- Language emerges in social contexts, blending nature and nurture
- Humans develop language when needed, even without formal instruction
Language Acquisition and Development
- Babies are born ready to learn any language
- By 4 months, infants can distinguish speech sounds and recognize word breaks
Productive Language
- Babbling Stage (4 months): Infants utter sounds, unrelated to household language
- One-Word Stage (12 months): Children speak in single words (e.g., "Kitty!")
- Two-Word Stage (24 months): Children form two-word statements (e.g., "Get ball")
- Telegraphic Speech: Early speech using nouns and verbs (e.g., "Want cookie")
- Language comprehension develops before production
Language Development Summary
- 4 months: Babbling sounds, like "ah-goo"
- 10 months: Babbling resembles household language, like "ma-ma"
- 12 months: One-word speech, like "Kitty!"
- 24 months: Two-word speech, like "Get ball."
- 24+ months: Rapid development into full sentences, like "Where is my toy?"
Critical Periods
- Childhood is a critical period for mastering language
- If not exposed to language by age 7, children may lose the ability to fully comprehend and use any language
Effects of Late Exposure
- Less complex language exposure leads to weaker skills
- Second-language learning gets harder with age
- Asian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. after age 7 showed lower grammatical accuracy
- Younger learners acquire languages more easily than adults due to brain plasticity
Deafness and Language Development
- Deaf children born to hearing parents often lack early language exposure
- Late learners (after age 9) struggle with fluency
- Less right hemisphere activity is seen in late sign language learners
Cochlear Implant Debate
- 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, who opt for cochlear implants
- Deaf culture advocates oppose implants, arguing that deafness is not a disability
- Early language exposure is crucial for fluency
The Brain and Language
- Aphasia is language impairment due to brain damage
- Broca's Area (Frontal Lobe, Left Hemisphere): Speech production
- Damage here causes inability to speak fluently but can understand
- Wernicke's Area (Temporal Lobe, Left Hemisphere): Language comprehension
- Damage here causes inability to understand language but can speak in meaningless sentences
- Different parts of the brain handle speaking, understanding, and processing language
Thinking and Language
- Linguistic Determinism (Whorf's Hypothesis): Extreme view; Language determines thought
- Example: Hopi speakers (who lack past tense) struggle to think about the past
- Linguistic Relativism: Moderate view; Language influences thought
- Example: Berinmo children in Papua New Guinea have multiple words for yellow, helping them distinguish shades better
- People perceive colors differently depending on language categories
- Language shapes how we categorize and perceive the world
- Transgender and gender nonconforming youth report feeling respected and included when their pronouns are used
- Gender prejudice also occurs more in gendered languages, such as French
- Language shapes how we categorize and perceive the world
Thinking in Images
- Mental rehearsal activates brain regions involved in actual performance
- Process simulation (imaging steps to reach a goal) improves success
- Thinking in images aids skill development, memory, and motivation
Other Species Language?
- Animals communicate, but do they have language?
- Pigeons can distinguish words from non-words
- Monkeys use different alarm calls for predators
- Chimpanzee Washoe can sign
Criticisms of Ape Language Studies
- Simple vocabulary is utilized
- Sentences lack grammar
- Great difficulty acquiring words
- Animals communicate but do not have the complexity of human language
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