SAQ for FOPAC Exam

Questions and Answers

What is the idea behind language being universal?

The idea that language is universal means that it is something that all people learn, regardless of the culture they grow up in or the language they need to use.

What is one way to investigate the universality of language cross-culturally?

One way is to look at how language is used cross-culturally and observe the similar properties that exist across all languages.

What is a significant feature of sign language that suggests language is universal?

The fact that sign language, used by congenitally deaf people, exhibits similar properties to spoken languages, such as syntactic categories and productivity.

What is the significance of the Nicaraguan deaf children's sign language acquisition?

It shows that language acquisition is universal and can occur without adult input or cultural transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of language that is exhibited by the Nicaraguan deaf children's sign language?

Their sign language exhibited features such as word categories, morphology, and syntax, similar to other sign languages. Signup and view all the answers

What is another way to provide evidence for the universality of language?

Examining the developmental learning sequence of language acquisition in children. Signup and view all the answers

What does the universality of language suggest about its importance?

It suggests that language is not simply a useful skill that adults teach to children, but rather an innate ability that emerges naturally. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of the universality of language?

It implies that language is an inherent part of human nature and is not dependent on cultural transmission or adult input. Signup and view all the answers

What is categorical perception of phonemes and why is it not unique to humans?

Categorical perception of phonemes is the ability to distinguish between similar sounds in language. It is not unique to humans because other animals, like the chinchilla, also exhibit this effect, suggesting a more general origin. Signup and view all the answers

How does the spotlight analogy describe focused visual attention?

The spotlight analogy describes focused visual attention as having a selective focus, limited capacity, flexibility, and awareness, allowing us to focus on specific aspects of our environment while ignoring others. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of language development across cultures, despite varying environmental factors?

A shared sequence of language development, including babbling, single words, holophrases, and complex grammatical structures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Nicaraguan study in the context of language development?

It rules out cultural transmission as a factor in language acquisition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the categorical perception of phonemes in language acquisition?

The categorical perception of phonemes is important in language acquisition as it enables learners to distinguish between similar sounds and develop phonological awareness. Signup and view all the answers

What is categorical perception in spoken language, and how is it demonstrated?

Categorical perception is the processing of phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound. It is demonstrated through acoustic continua, showing that our perception of phonemes doesn't perfectly match physical reality. Signup and view all the answers

How does the developmental learning sequence relate to language acquisition?

The developmental learning sequence refers to the order in which language skills are acquired, such as phonology, syntax, and semantics. Signup and view all the answers

What are some universal language features that exist across cultures?

Universal language features include categorical perception of phonemes, phonological rules, and grammatical structures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of language development in deaf children?

They follow a similar developmental sequence as hearing children, including babbling, single words, and complex grammatical structures. Signup and view all the answers

How does sign language structure differ from spoken language?

Sign language structure uses visual-gestural modality, with its own distinct phonology, syntax, and semantics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the developmental learning sequence in language acquisition?

It provides evidence that language development is a universal process, with stages that are common across cultures and environments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of cross-cultural language properties in language acquisition?

Cross-cultural language properties highlight the shared aspects of language acquisition across cultures, such as the categorical perception of phonemes. Signup and view all the answers

What are some universal features of language, despite cultural and environmental differences?

Shared sequence of language development, categorical perception, and the emergence of complex grammatical structures. Signup and view all the answers

How does language acquisition in deaf children differ from that of hearing children?

Language acquisition in deaf children may involve sign language, which has its own structure and rules, and may require adaptations in language instruction. Signup and view all the answers

How does sign language structure relate to spoken language structure?

Sign language exhibits similar developmental sequences and universal features as spoken language, despite being a visually-based language. Signup and view all the answers

What can the study of language development tell us about human interactions with the world?

It reveals how we process and perceive language, and how it relates to our understanding of reality. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of Baddeley and Hitch's original 1974 Working Memory model?

Phonological loop, Visuo-spatial sketchpad, and (not mentioned in the text, but) Central Executive. Signup and view all the answers

How does the phonological loop facilitate language learning in everyday life?

By temporarily holding new words in mind whilst longer-term memory traces are created. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the visuo-spatial sketchpad in Baddeley and Hitch's Working Memory model?

Temporary storage of visual and spatial information. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can the visuo-spatial sketchpad be applied in real-life professions?

In design-related fields, such as architecture and art, to imagine and visualise finished creations. Signup and view all the answers

What is an everyday task that relies on the phonological loop, according to Baddeley and Hitch's model?

Remembering a phone number. Signup and view all the answers

How can research on the phonological loop inform our understanding of language learning difficulties?

By highlighting the importance of the phonological loop in language acquisition and the potential consequences of impairments. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of mentally visualising and manipulating information stored in long-term memory, involving the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Visualising an elephant we once saw at the zoo, but manipulating the image so we picture it wearing roller skates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the visuo-spatial sketchpad in tasks like navigation and visual searches?

It allows us to temporarily store and process visual and spatial information. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three primary functions of the central executive component of working memory?

Focussing attention on tasks, switching attention from one task to another, and dividing attention between tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a monocular cue used to judge the depth of an object?

Occlusion, where one object occludes another, indicating that it is closer to the viewer. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a binocular cue used to judge the depth of an object?

Disparity, which occurs due to the differences in the location of an object in the left eye view and right eye view. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the central executive in task switching, as illustrated in the example of watching a movie and answering a phone call?

It engages in task switching by re-allocating the resources of the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the artist's inability to produce new detailed realistic works of art, as described in the 1999 study?

It highlights the importance of visualisation in art, which is a crucial aspect of working memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between monocular and binocular cues in judging the depth of an object?

Monocular cues rely on information from one eye, whereas binocular cues rely on information from both eyes. Signup and view all the answers

How does the central executive help in dividing attention between tasks, as illustrated in the example of chatting on the phone and watching a movie?

It allocates the limited resources of the phonological loop between the two tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the study on the artist's inability to produce new detailed realistic works of art in the context of working memory?

It highlights the importance of visualisation in working memory and its impact on creative tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Language Universality

Language is considered universal because it is a fundamental aspect of human culture, used by people across different cultures and languages, including sign language.
Cross-cultural studies show that all languages share similar properties, such as syntactic categories, phonology, and the ability to express infinite ideas.
Deaf children in Nicaragua, with no language input, invented their own sign language, demonstrating that language acquisition is universal and not dependent on cultural transmission.
The developmental learning sequence is shared across cultures, with children following a similar pattern of language development, from babbling to complex grammar.

Categorical Perception

Categorical perception in spoken language refers to the processing of phonemes, the smallest units of sound in words.
Humans perceive phonemes categorically, meaning that our perception does not perfectly match the physical reality of sound waves.
This effect is not unique to humans and is also observed in other animals, like chinchillas.

Attention and Memory

Spotlight Analogy

The spotlight analogy describes focused visual attention as a beam that selectively focuses on specific aspects of the environment, ignoring others.
The analogy captures the key aspects of attention, including selective focus, limited capacity, flexibility, and awareness.

Working Memory Model

Baddeley and Hitch's (1974) Working Memory model consists of three components: the phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and central executive.
The phonological loop is responsible for temporarily storing and rehearsing verbal information, such as phone numbers and vocabulary.
The visuo-spatial sketchpad is responsible for temporarily storing visual and spatial information, and mentally visualizing and manipulating information.
The central executive coordinates the activities of the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad, focusing attention, switching between tasks, and dividing attention.

Perception

Monocular and Binocular Cues

People use both monocular and binocular cues to judge the depth of an object.
A monocular cue is information from one eye only, such as occlusion, where one object occludes another, indicating it is closer to the viewer.
A binocular cue is information from both eyes, such as disparity, where the difference in location of an object in the left and right eye views indicates depth.

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Description

Understanding the concept of language universality and its cross-cultural significance. Learn why many people believe language is universal and the evidence that supports this idea.