1>Human evolution & socio-cognitive pre-requisites for lang acquistion

Question 1

Generative-Nativist linguistics=

Answer 1

words can & must be learned through experience, but knowledge of ‘grammatical rules’ is INNATE

Question 2

Main features of Generative nativist lingusitics theory>

Answer 2

• we have ‘domain specific’ (specific to lang) innate knowledge of grammar & syntatic rules
• this innate knowledge comes in the form of–>unviersal grammar, lang acquisition devices

Question 3

What forms does ‘innate knowledge’ come in in G-N linguistics> (2)

Answer 3

• unviersal grammar, lang acqusition devices

Question 4

Usage-based linguistics=

Answer 4

humans possess powerful learning mechanisms that allow them to discover regularities in language and other domains

Question 5

main features of Usage-based linguistics theory>

Answer 5

• we have ‘domain-general’ innate knowledge and skills to learn words and grammar
• these skills can be used for–>intention reading, pattern finding

Question 6

what can the ‘skills’ of U-B lingusitics be used for>

Answer 6

• language learning, intention reading, pattern finding (mathmetatics, music etc)

Question 7

Domain specific=

Answer 7

only used to learn language (specific to lang domain)

Question 8

Domain general=

Answer 8

skills can be applied to several domains (e.g. pattern finding0

Question 9

Stages of Biological change in humans> (7)

Answer 9

1> bipedalism
2>pelvic rearrangement (^due to)
3> narrower birth canal (^caused by)
4>increased foetal size due to improved diet
5> selective pressure to delay skeletal maturation (^due to)
6>delay in neural development (^due to)
7>bigger brains (^due to)

Question 10

Neural plasticity=

Answer 10

brains are relatively underdeveloped> can learn more as brain is “empty”
^not a lot of neural connections

Question 11

Alloparents=

Answer 11

those who help raise kids

Question 12

How did human biological change lead to cultural changes> (4)

Answer 12

• slow maturation required more childcare
• improvements in diet lead to higher birth rates
• thus cultural change of need to recruit ‘alloparents’ to help raise kids
• additional change of infants need to bond with caregivers as competing for attention

Question 13

How do babies get caregiver’s attention/ make them care for them? (3)

Answer 13

1>vocalisation (involuntary crying & babbling)
2>smiling (involuntary>voluntary over time)
3>turn taking (expect response, i.e. pointing)

Question 14

Change caused by complex social environment to language>

Answer 14

as have larger groups (due more children, better diet)
- Division of labour & cooperation more needed in for efficiency

• thus, lang needed to:
  >cooperative & organise joint activities & transmit expert knowledge (use of tools)

Question 15

key development: cooperation> (1+3)

Answer 15

• larger groups leads to higher levels of COOPERATIONL based on:
  >(1)understanding others POV & attention, (2) understanding their goals & (communicative) intentions, & (3) conventionality & imitation

Question 16

importance of cooperation>

Answer 16

> within group cooperation gives advantage over other groups
cooperation & trust is necessary for ‘alloparenting’

Question 17

How do infants collaborate & coordinate their actions with others?> (4)

Answer 17

1>cooperation
2> joint attention
3> understanding goals & intentions
4> conventionality & imitation

Question 18

Signs of cooperation in humans> (2)

Answer 18

> we use lang to share info
we give away info for free

Question 19

cooperation studies> ‘pointing studies’> (3+1)

Answer 19

• 3 cups upside down & toy hidden under 1
• adult points to cup
• around age 1, humans know what to do
  -demonstrates cooperation (give info for free as normal)

Question 20

Why dont cooperation studies work on apes?

Answer 20

apes do not understand giving information for free, like humans (no real cooperation)

Question 21

Focus of attention study> infants & toys> (3)

Answer 21

• 3 toys, dont know any
• if mum says “thats a nice ball”, important to kno which she is looking/pointing at (via joint attention) to make link between what said & object

Question 22

Focus of attention study> apes & banana>

Answer 22

• alpha male & subordiante group member
• 2 bananad: 1 of which can be seen by alpha
• sub will go for one that alpha cannot see
• thus, some level of understanding of what other can see (focus of/joint attention)

Question 23

Goal & intentions study> object & obstacle> (3)

Answer 23

• showed kids obj as moving around obstacle to get to end location
• then EITHER showed (1) same path without obstacle; (2) moved obj directly to end location
• results: surprise under condition 1 (pupil dialation)> consistent with ‘goal’ knowledge

Question 24

Conventionality & imitation study> babies & light switch>

Answer 24

• showed babies unconventional ways of switching light one
• had 2 conditions: 1 where hands free, one where hands not free, performing same action
• results: infant more likely to imitate irrational action when adult had hands free (as assume is a CONVENTIONAL action as reason for not using hands)