9. Language And Intelligence Flashcards
Language?
A system for communicating with others using signals that are combined according to rules of grammar and convey meaning
Grammar
A set of rules that specify how the units of language can be combined to produce meaningful messages
Fast mapping?
The fact that children can map a word onto an underlying concept after only a single exposure
Telegraphic speech
Speech that is devoid of function morphemes and consists mostly of content words
Nativist theory?
The view that language development is best explained as an innate, biological capacity
Genetic dysphasia
A syndrome characterized by an inability to learn the grammatical structure of language despite having otherwise normal intelligence
Aphasia?
Difficulty in producing or comprehending language
Concept?
A mental representation that groups or categorizes shared features of related objects, events, or other stimuli
Family resemblance theory?
Members of a category have features that appear to be characteristic of category members but may not be possessed by every member
Prototype?
The best or most typical member of a category
Exemplar theory?
A theory of categorization that argues that we make category judgements by comparing a new instance with stored memories for other instances of the category
Category-specific deficit
A neurological syndrome that is characterized by an inability to recognize objects that belong to a particular category, although the ability to recognize objects outside the category is undisturbed
Ratio IQ?
Deviation IQ?
A statistic obtained by dividing a person’s mental age by the person’s physical age and then multiplying the quotient by 100
A statistic obtained by dividing a person’s test score by the average test score of people in the same age group and then multiplying the quotient by 100
Two-factor theory of intelligence?
Spearman’s theory suggesting that every task requires a combination of a general ability (g) and skills that are specific to the task (s)
Fluid intelligence?
Crystallized intelligence?
The ability to see abstract relationships and draw logical inferences
The ability to retain and use knowledge that was acquired through experience
Emotional intelligence?
The ability to reason about emotions and to use emotions to enhance reasoning
More competent interactions Better relationships Emotions from facial expressions More friends and social skills Happier and more satisfied
Dizygotic twins?
Monozygotic twins?
Fraternal twins. Two eggs, two sperm
Identical twins. One egg one sperm
Shared environment?
Nonshared environment?
Environmental factors experienced by all members of household
Env factors not experienced “ “
How quickly does a child’s vocabulary develop?
10 words at 1 year
10000 words at 5 years
6 or 7 every day
What happens when babies can’t hear themselves?
Speech impairment
Deaf children babble at the same age hearing children can, 4-6 months
Language milestones?
4-6 months babbling 10-12 months first words Nouns before verbs 24 months two word sentences telegraphic speech devoid of function morphemes 5000 words 3 years simple sentences 4-5 years overgeneralization of grammar Addition of humour, irony
What happens to language in adopted preschool children?
Same progression of milestones as infants
Behaviourisr explanation of language development?
Reinforcement
Extinction
- Parents don’t teach kids language
- Kids generate new sentences
- Overgeneralizations not predictable
Nativist explanation of language development
Innate ability
Wired to learn
Language can be learned only during a restricted period (Genie)
Interactionist explanation of language development
Social interaction
Parents slow speech
Nicaraguans
Which are the two main language areas of the brain?
Broca’s area - production of vocal and sign language
Wernicke’s area - comprehension
Both left cortex
Some right hemisphere activation
What can bilingual kids do better?
Executive control capacities
Prioritize info
Focus attention flexibly
Prototype theory?
We compare new instances to the category’s prototype
How do we form categories and concepts?
We use prototypes and exemplars
Visual cortex for prototypes (image processing)
Prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia for exemplars (analysis and decision making)
Brain organization is innately determined
Where do deficits happen?
Left temporal lobe - location specific
What is intelligence?
The ability to direct one’s thinking, adapt to one’s circumstances, and learn from one’s experiences
Why were IQ tests developed?
To help children succeed in school Logic Memory Copying Distinguishing Rhymes Ethics
What is the Wechsler test?
Solve problems, word meanings, general knowledge, explain actions
Predicts health, educational level, income
What did Spearman find?
Children who scored well in one domain (music) scored well in others (algebra)
But not best
Two factor theory of intelligence
What did Thurstone find?
No general ability like Spearman said
Only primary mental abilities like perception, verbal, numeric ability
How is intelligence seen today?
Three factor hierarchy
General at top (g)
Primary mental abilities 8
Specific abilities (s)
What are the middle level abilities?
- Memory and learning
- Visual perception
- Auditory perception
- Retrieval ability
- Cognitive speediness
- Processing speed
- Crystallized intelligence
- Fluid intelligence
What did Sternberg say about intelligence?
Distinguishes between analytic intelligence (identify, define, solve problems) And practical intelligence (apply solutions in everyday settings) Creative intelligence (generate unique solutions)
Where does intelligence come from?
Not families
Twins IQ are similiar even when not raised together
Identical raised apart closer than fraternals raised together
Regular siblings not really
Correlation between siblings greater when closer in age
What is the Flynn effect?
IQ 30 higher than 1900
What enviro factors influence IQ?
Economics, education
12 points
Parents read and stimulate
Better health
Less stress
Fewer toxins
More words
School makes smarter but effects diminish
Experiments like Head Start and vouchers don’t increase smarts
Where are males and females on spectrum?
Males more at either end
High intelligence less prone to mental illness
High iq kids as well adjusted as peers
Children rarely gifted in all areas
How does iq scale work?
100 average
70% between 85 and 115
Less than 70 disability 70% male
Down syndrome, fetal alcohol
What were Terman’s claims?
Intelligence genetic
Members of some race groups do better than others
Due to gene differences
First 2 true, 3rd not
Why?
Situational: gender identification, race identification
Enviro: SES
How to increase iq?
Read interactively
Prenatal nutrition
Early education interventions for low SES
Preschool
What are cognitive enhancers?
Ritalin
Adderall
Ampakines
Do modern intelligence tests have a cultural bias?
No
