Chap 19: Language

Question 1

What is the continuity theory of language ?

Answer 1

language evolved gradually

Question 2

What is the discontinuity theory of language ?

Answer 2

language evolved rapidly and appeared suddenly

Question 3

List some important developments of language ?

Answer 3

1. Brain lateralization in mammals
2. Gene mutations
   - ex. FOXP2 mutation for speech region development in humans but not apes
3. Bipedalism
   - forced a greater plasticity in cranium shape

Question 4

Describe some early evolutions of language

Answer 4

1. Sound
   - relied on verbal communication for survival in things like hunting for ex
2. Planning
   - could not use gestural communication at night, thus a scream would be the only way to give a signal
3. shared intentions and beliefs
4. Narration
   - people telling stories around the fire

Question 5

What are 4 forms of aphasia ?

Answer 5

1. Wernicke’s
2. Broca’s aphasia
3. Conduction aphasia
4. Global aphasia

Question 6

Describe Wernicke vs Brocas aphasia

Answer 6

wernicke (fluent)
- cant understand words or arrange sounds into coherent speech
Broca (non-fluent)
- cant speak spontaneously but can repeat words

Question 7

What is language ?

Answer 7

a system for relating signals and meaning
- involves the use of symbols to communicate ideas
- allows us to assign ‘tags’ to information for categorization

Question 8

What did Chomsky propose about language development ?

Answer 8

humans have an innate language mechanism
- children develop syntactical skills independently of formal training

Question 9

What are the basic body components of sound production ?

Answer 9

vocal folds, larynx (voice box), formants

Question 10

What 4 abilities compose language ?

Answer 10

1. categorization
2. labeling
3. sequencing
4. mimicking

Question 11

Describe disorders of language comprehension

Answer 11

• poor auditory or visual comprehension

Question 12

Describe disorders of language production

Answer 12

• poor articulation
• unintended words or phrases
• loss of grammar or syntax
• inability to write/ low verbal fluency
• loss of tone/porosity

Question 13

What are the general conclusions of Pepperberg’s parrot study and studies on apes ?

Answer 13

• even in the absence of a complex neocortex, the brain can reach a certain level of complexity to perform some core language skills

Question 14

What is the results of damage to the insula?

Answer 14

apraxia of speech

Question 15

What is the results of damage to the superior/medial temporal gyrus ?

Answer 15

deficit in sentence comprehension

Question 16

What is the result of damage to the arcuate fasciculus?

Answer 16

reoccurring utterances

Question 17

What is the results of damage to the ventral frontal cortex?

Answer 17

deficit in working memory and articulation