2nd Exam Flashcards
Pidgin language
Simple version of language often lacking grammatical structure and tenses.
Children do not just copy pidgin of parents, create new language with specific grammatical rules.
Creole language
More structured form of the original pidgin with universal structure.
Suggests language is created in the brain by a set of biologically determined rules.
Phonology
Combination of sounds
Morphology
The study of the smallest units of meaning
Syntax
The structure of sentence of phrase and rules that govern it.
Semantics
The study of meaning in a language
Surface structure
The actual spoken word, with its grammatical structure
Deep structure
The meaning of the speech
Triggered when hearing language and allow surface structure to be passed.
Language is not “tabla rasa” your adding to a general logic.
Chomsky
Saw language as an emergent property of brain complexity, not as an adaptation.
Suggested that all humans have a universal grammar
Language acquisition device.
Language is a bi-product of having the mind we have.
Pinker
Saw language as an evolutionary adaptation “instinct”.
Language assisted us in some way in our past.
Skinner
Children learn appropriate grammatical rules via reinforcement.
General learning mechanisms
Receptive language
Being able to understand language.
Comes before productive language.
Located in Wernicke’s Area - Left temporal lobe
Productive language
Located in Brocas Area- Frontal Lobe
Responsible for language/speech
10-12 months : First words
18-24 months: Increase in # of words.
Whole object assumption & Gavagai problem
New items learned are assumed to be whole objects.
Taxonomic assumption
Children will think categorically instead of thematically when given a novel label
Mutual exclusivity assumption
Children are averse to having the same word for the same object. They learn second labels slower than first and assume it belongs to another object.
Fast Mapping
The ability to learn so quickly.
Once they hear something they can grasp the definition.
Less is More Hypothesis
Young children have limitations on processing of information.
However, being able to learn less can allow you to maintain more
Advantages of Sexual reproduction
Allows adaption to change the environment and variety of genetics.
Sex
The biological categories of male/female.
Gender
Socially and culturally created roles
Gametes
Mature reproductive cells
Males have small and numerous gametes
Females have large ones and limited in number
Zygotes
Fertilized gametes
Survival vs sexual reproduction
Evolution selects reproduction over survival
Sexual selection
Contains both intrasexual competition and intersexual selection
Intrasexual competition
Competing for the opposite sex
Intersexual selection
“Female choice” Choosing a mate based on certain characteristics.
Parental Investment Theory
The sex (female) that invests the most in its offspring will evolve to be the most discriminating in selecting its mating partner.
Greater male intrasexual competition due to high selectivity of females (female choice)
Adaptive Problems for long term
- Assessing the ability to invest (Good Provider)
- Willing to invest
- Physical protection
- Health (Good Genes)
- Compatibility
Menstrual Cycle effects
Chance of becoming pregnant differs across the menstrual cycle
- When chance highest, prefer more masculine faces
- Men higher in dominance (based on odor -T-shirt test)
Sexual Dimorphism
Extent to which sexes differ in body
Human males are taller,heavier, and have upper body strength
Incest avoidance (Westermarck Hypothesis)
Being around a member of the opposite sex consistently from childhood decreased likelihood of sexual interest after sexual maturation.
Long Term Mating
Males place importance on female fertility ; reproductive values of youth and physical appearance.
Females: Maturity, Status, and resources
Adaptive Problems of short term mating (Men)
- How many mates to seek
- Detecting sexual accessibility
- Detecting Fertility (Waste to Hip)
- Avoiding commitment (Mating opportunity cost)
- Questionable paternity (Sexual Jealousy)
Alliance Formation Theory
Homoerotic behavior between young and older men boosted access of young men for power and access (same for women)
Homosexual sexual straregies
- Gay males similar to straight males
- Lesbian women more similar to straight women
Long Term Mating Strategies (Men)
- Marriage may be useful; Social contract for exclusivity
- Two parents may increase survival of offspring especially if partner cares for child/has resources
- Greater access to sex
Class Preference
Female:
-Intelligent,Humor,Motivation,Kind
Male:
Physical Attractiveness, Honest, Humor, Adventurous
Clark & Hatfield Study
Male asking Female: More than half agree to date; 0% immediately go to bed
Female to Male: 75% will go straight to bed, 69% to apartment, 50% to date
Thornhill & Gangestadt
T-Shirt Study
Men with symmetrical faces were rated as more pleasant then those of less symmetrical men
Effect only occurred for women in ovulation phase
More masculine & symmetrical - Good genes
