CHAPTER TWO Flashcards
What are the four layers of developmental systems?
Environment
Behaviour
Neural Activity
Genetic activity
T/F: the four levels of dev. operate on seperate plains
False
What are critical/sensitive periods?
Times in dev where children are considered my susceptible to the influence of environ. experiences
The suggestion that there are neurons that become specialized for various functions based on location and experience is what?
Neurological preparedness
What is the outside layer of the brain called?
The Cerebral Cortex
What does the cerebral cortex control?
Higher mental functions ie planning and reading
What is under the cerebral cortex?
The subcortical structures
What area of the brain controls primitive functions (ie breathing, eating, balance)?
The subcortical structures
What does the left hemisphere control?
Logical functions (analyzing, talking)
What does the right hemisphere control?
Creative functions (drawing, gesture)
What is the Broca’s Area?
Front part of the left hemisphere near the part of the cortex that controls movement
What is Broca’s Area’s role in language?
Speech Production (Formation of words and sentences, prepping for speech production)
What is the Wernicke’s Area?
Area behind Broca’s, next to primary auditory cortex
What is Wernicke’s Area’s role in language?
Speech comprehension (Lexical storage, word meaning, selection of words)
Define neuroplasticity
Ability of parts of the brain to take over functions they do not “ordinarily” serve
What helps to explain why differing levels of aphasia recovery appear in children?
Neuroplasticity
What evidence of neuroplasticity supports CPH?
Supports that biologically determined periods exists during which lang acquisition must occur then if at all
What does CPH stand for?
Critical Period Hypothesis
What does CPH claim?
That a person can only achieve native-esque fluency in a lang before a certain age
Are children or adults more likely to recover normal lang function if suffering impairment?
Children (before puberty)
T/F: children have a neurological advantage in learning languages
True
How many langs can children under 9 learn?
up to three
T/F: Children can be L1 level fluent in up to three langs under 9
True
Why does lang development slump at puberty?
The brain loses plasticity
What proves CPH?
“wild” or “feral” children who are unable to develop lang due to missing the critical window
How do Empiricists deny CPH when faced with wild children evidence?
Not a nurturing environ
Trauma
Potential pre-existing dev or cog impairments (often reason for abandonment)
What is a pigin?
a simplified communication method that’s used when people who don’t speak the same language need to interact
What is a creole?
a natural language that develops when two or more languages mix and simplify, and then become fully developed with their own grammar and vocabulary
T/F: Deaf children disprove CPH
False
What is the main difference between a pigin and a creole?
a creole is a fully developed natural language that evolves over generations, while a pidgin is a simplified language that’s typically used as a second language
T/F: lang is not specific to humans
False
T/F: Animals have the capacity for lang
False; they have the capacity for comm. but not lang.
Which three animals have the highest degrees of communication?
Wolves, chimpanzees and dolphins
What is the key difference betwen a human and primate brain (in relation to language capacity)
Human brain is 3 times as large and the cerebral cortex contains twice as many cells
Why can’t primates acquire language?
Primates are limited in the physiological capabilities due to their brain size
List Hockett’s nine design features of lang
- mode of comm
- Semanticity
- Arbitrariness
- Discreteness
- displacement
- cultural transmission
- productivity
- interchangeability
- pragmatic function
Define mode of communication
A means by which a message is communicated
Define semanticity
A speech sound linked to a specific meaning (ie cat meaning cat)
Define arbitrariness
No direct link between a signal and a meaning (ie no reason that the word “apple” means shiny red fruit)
Define discreteness
Each unit of comm can be spearated into recognizable parts (letters, sounds, signs)
Define displacement
describe things that are not physically present (ie object permanenec)
Define cultural transmission
leaning of language occurs in social groups
Define productivity
ability to create new messages by combining pre-exititing signs (ie “youre the first person to ever say those words in a row)
Define interchangability
a speaker can both recieve and broadcast a signal at the same time
Define pragmatic function
language is used to serve a purpose/achieve a goal
