Chapter 9 Language and Thought Flashcards
Language
set of symbols used for communication unique to humans that supports creative and progressive social interaction
3 components of language
language production, speech, language comprehension
Language production
structured, conventional expression of thoughts through words
speech
the expression of language through words
language comprehension
process of understanding spoken, written, signed language
Phonology
study of how individual sounds or phonemes are used to produce language
Phoneme
smallest unit of sound in a language, individual sound
morpheme
smallest unit of language that conveys meaning
semantics
how meaning in language is constructed of individual words and sentences
syntax
system for using words (semantics) and word order to convey meaning (grammar)
Pragmatics
practical aspects of language usage (speech pace, gesturing, body language)
What is the sequence of language learning?
Prevocal, babbling, first words, telegraphic, pragmatics, grammar
What happens during pre vocal learning?
babies distinguish phonemes that they use later for language like cooing or vowel like sounds
what happens during babbling stage of language learning?
meaningless experimental sounds preceding actual language
what happens when babies say their first word?
Simple single word talking begins with comprehension exceeding speech
what happens during telegraphic speech?
simple 2 word sentences but do not have essential words mommy cookie
what happens during pragmatics stage of development?
basic understanding of practical info regarding language
what happens during grammar stage of development?
basic rules of grammar are understood without formal education
The effect of nature on child’s language learning
children are genetically programmed at birth to learn language
The effect of nurture on child’s language learning
language is totally learned (behaviourist skinner) where babies are given rewards for a word or sound and so they repeat it
Which political leader is connected to the effect of nature on child’s language learning?
Chomsky wrote manufacturing consent and says we are born w language learning device in our brain that allows us to easily learn language
Critical period in language development
window of time where certain influences are necessary for appropriate formation in the brian
Sensitive period in language development
window of time during which the brain is more susceptible to influences
child-directed speech
simple high-pitched, slow paced, emotion charged speech used by adults when speaking w babies and young children
- this can help keep babies interested and learn words
overregularization
process by which elementary school children apply learned grammatical rules to improperly make language more regular than it really is (thinked instead of thought)
Broca’s centre in the brain
Responsible for speech production, grammar comprehension
Wernickes centre in the brain
Responsible for language comprehension, located in temporal lobe
what happens when the broca’s centre is damaged?
Broca’s aphasia
- women can understand what is asked of her and knows what she wants to say but she cannot put the words together properly
what happens when the wernickes area is damaged?
Fluent aphasia
- the man is completely fluent with his words and can comprehend what is asked of him, but the meanings of his words do not connect or work in the context but he thinks he is totally making sense
True or false language learning ability declines as we age
True it is easier to learn language when we are younger and we are more proficient
True or false language production and comprehension tend to occur at an earlier age in girls than boys
True
Women are more likely to use ___ ____ ___ ___ ___ to process language info
both hemispheres of the brain
Linguistic relativity hypothesis
Vocabulary for objects/concepts in a language influences how speakers of that language think about them
Automatic processing in thought
Seems effortless, requires less attention, not usually disrupted much if we are distracted
Controlled processing in thought
effortful, relies on limited capacity system
Cognitive control
Ability to guide thinking and actions despite distraction, attention and pursue complex behaviour
Executive function
brain’s ability to control and manage the mental processing of info
Dysexecutive syndrome
impairments in the ability to control and direct mental activities
problem solving
involves thoughts and actions to achieve a desired goal
Three steps to solving a problem
1) define current state
2) define ultimate goal
3) determine diff between these two
Two strategies for solving the problem
algorithm and heuristic
algorithm as a problem solving strategy
step by step procedure to solve problems that guarantees a solution
heuristic as a problem solving strategy
shortcut to solving problems but does not guarantee correct solution
Using heuristics
work backwards, form subgoals and use analogy heuristic where u apply solution from a previous problem that shares similar characteristics
