Psychology of Mental Representations

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Questions and Answers

What term describes a regional variety of a language characterized by specific vocabulary, syntax, and pronunciation?

Accent

Patois

Idiolect

Dialect (correct)

What type of slip occurs when a speaker uses a language element too early, before it is relevant in the sentence?

Perseveration

Reversal

Anticipation (correct)

Substitution

Which slip is characterized by a speaker incorrectly using a phrase that was correct earlier in the context?

Deletion

Reversal

Perseveration (correct)

Anticipation

What is the term for the phenomenon where background noise affects speech production and can lead to errors?

Environmental intrusion Signup and view all the answers

According to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, what is one of the main ideas regarding language and perception?

Language influences thought patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a substitution slip in speech production?

Saying 'I'll meet you after lunch' instead of 'before lunch.' Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of pragmatics in language focus on?

The use of language in social contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cognitive effect of language influencing how individuals perceive reality known as?

Language relativity Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of linguistic relativity suggest about language?

Language determines our thoughts and perceptions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a phoneme?

A basic sound unit that distinguishes one word from another. Signup and view all the answers

How does language influence perception according to cognitive theories?

It can shape how individuals interpret their experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assertion of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

Language shapes and limits human thought. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'regularly structured' mean in the context of language characteristics?

Only specific arrangements of symbols possess meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle emphasizes the dynamic nature of language?

Language is subject to change and adaptation over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'arbitrarily symbolic' in language characteristics?

The connection between a symbol and its meaning is established by convention. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of conventionality in language?

The shared understanding of word meanings among speakers. Signup and view all the answers

What linguistic phenomenon occurs when speakers of different language groups share vocabulary over prolonged contact?

Pidgin Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of linguicism as defined in the content?

Judgments about a person's character based on their dialect Signup and view all the answers

Which linguistic construct can develop into a distinct grammar when language groups interact?

Creole Signup and view all the answers

What are 'slips of the tongue' typically understood as in linguistic terms?

Inadvertent linguistic errors Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which statement exemplifies the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis regarding language and perception?

Language influences thoughts and judgments of others. Signup and view all the answers

What does Chavacano represent in language studies?

A Creole language Signup and view all the answers

What might biases regarding language use lead individuals to believe about speakers of non-standard forms?

They are less educated or trustworthy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a cognitive effect of learning a second language on the brain?

Improved brain density Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mental Representations of Knowledge

Knowledge is stored in the mind through mental images, words, or abstract propositions.
Mental imagery is a product of imagination, representing sensations (mostly visual), past experiences, and fantasies.
Knowledge can be represented in different ways.
Some knowledge is easier to represent in images, while other knowledge is easier to represent in words.
Neither images nor words are complete representations of reality.

Dual Code Theory

Mental representations use both pictorial (analog) and verbal (symbolic) codes.
Pictorial codes are processed differently than verbal codes.
Pictures are easily recalled in any order, while words are more easily recalled in order.
Images and symbols have limited capacities; interference occurs when using similar tasks.

Evidence for Dual Code Theory

Subjects take longer to visualize something than to just recall information.
Using rules to recall images interferes with words.
Mental representations are in terms of their meaning, not as specific pictures/words.
Propositions are the fundamental relationships between objects (subject and predicate.)

Propositional Theory

Knowledge is represented as propositions, expressing relationships between objects.
Descriptions of objects and their relationships are stored in a symbolic form.
Propositions summarize the meaning of sentences.

Declarative vs. Procedural Knowledge

Declarative knowledge ("what" knowledge) includes facts and concepts.
Procedural knowledge ("how" knowledge) includes procedures and processes.
Knowledge is usually organized into categories.

Categorization

Categorization involves grouping similar objects or concepts on common features.
Natural categories exist in nature (e.g., animals).
Abstract categories are human-created groupings (e.g., furniture).
Ad hoc categories are temporary and highly specific (e.g., things I want to pet).

Prototypes/Concepts

Prototypes are typical or best examples of a category.
Classical concepts are easily defined by their features.
Fuzzy concepts are more loosely defined and based on prototypes.

Semantic Networks Model

Conceptual knowledge is represented as networks of interconnected concepts and relationships.
Concepts/ideas are stored as nodes.
Connections between nodes are relationships.

Bilingualism

Bilingual individuals use two languages.
Language use can be simultaneous (learning both languages from early childhood), or sequential (learning one language first, then another).
Bilinguals may think differently than monolinguals.
The age of learning a second language may influence fluency and skill.

Linguistic Relativity/Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Language influences how individuals perceive the world.
Different languages can lead to different cognitive systems.
Words for colours, like light blue and dark blue, in some languages are more similar than others.
Linguistic differences can affect language use in daily life.

Understanding language use within social contexts, like conversations, is an important aspect of studying language.
Factors like context, speaker's intention, common knowledge, and interpersonal relationships impact how language is used.

Pragmatic Skills

Pragmatic skills are crucial for successful communication in social contexts.
These include establishing common ground with the listener, maintaining the topic, using appropriate language, and being aware of conversational partners' perspectives.

Language Errors/Slips

Errors, like anticipation (saying a word early), perseveration (repetition), substitution (replacing a word), and reversals (swapping sounds) in speech.
They often reflect deeper cognitive processes.
There are different types of errors depending on the particular linguistic features in error.

Additional Concepts

Wernicke's area: Important for speech comprehension.
Broca's area: Important for speech production.
Aphasia: Language disorders caused by brain damage affecting the production or comprehension of language.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common developmental disorder involving abnormalities in cognitive, communication, and language functioning.

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Description

Explore the fascinating concepts of mental representations and Dual Code Theory. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how knowledge is stored and recalled, emphasizing the roles of pictorial and verbal codes. Learn about the processes that differentiate imagery from verbalization and the implications for memory recall.