Communication Development In Infancy

Question 1

Who conducted the first recorded account of a language acquisition study?

Answer 1

Herodotus

Herodotus lived from 484 to 425 B.C.

Question 2

What was the purpose of Psammetchus’s experiment?

Answer 2

To prove Egyptians spoke the original language

Psammetchus was an ancient Egyptian king.

Question 3

What was the outcome for the two children raised without input?

Answer 3

They spoke Phrygian, not Egyptian language.

Question 4

What questions are related to early L1 acquisition studies?

Answer 4

Is language innate?

This relates to the nature of human language development.

Question 5

What type of research did some researchers conduct regarding language acquisition?

Answer 5

Studies of their own children.

Question 6

What research approach is associated with B.F. Skinner?

Answer 6

Behaviourism

Behaviourism emphasizes the role of environmental stimuli in shaping behavior.

Question 7

What are the key components of language studied in the 1970s to present?

Answer 7

• Syntax/grammar
• Semantic relations
• Contexts of utterances
• Child-directed speech (CDS)
• What is innate, what is learned?

These components highlight the complexity of language acquisition and usage.

Question 8

What is a central question in contemporary research on language acquisition?

Answer 8

What is innate, what is learned?

This question explores the balance between innate linguistic capabilities and learned language skills.

Question 9

What evidence supports the idea that children are prewired to acquire their first language (L1)?

Answer 9

• Evidence for universal principles of grammar
• Grammatical errors children never make
• Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic studies

These studies suggest that there are common underlying principles in all human languages.

Question 10

What does the dynamic systems approach in language acquisition refer to?

Answer 10

A perspective that views language development as an evolving process influenced by various factors.

This approach emphasizes the interaction of biological, cognitive, and social factors in language learning.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The research approach that emphasizes the role of environmental stimuli is called _______.

Answer 11

Behaviourism

Question 12

True or False: Children can make all grammatical errors in their language development.

Answer 12

False
Children typically avoid certain grammatical errors, suggesting innate grammatical knowledge.

Question 13

Research designs (2)

Answer 13

Cross sectional and longitudinal

Question 14

Two types of research

Answer 14

Observational and experimental

Question 15

Other research techniques (4)

Answer 15

Standard assessment measures,
Imitation,
Elicitation,
Interviewing

Question 16

What is CHILDES

Answer 16

Child language data exchange system (computerized data bank)

Question 17

Developmental stages (3)

Answer 17

-The Neonate
-The Examiner
-The Experimenter

Question 18

Physical development of the Neonate

Answer 18

Poor motor control,
Reflexes,
Fastest brain growth

Question 19

Social and communicative bases for language of the Neonate

Answer 19

Crying,
Vocalizing (no true Cs or Vs),
Diff reactions to diff languages,
By one month interactive exchanges,
Reacts to face,
Calmed by human voice

Question 20

Infant perceptual skills of the Neonate

Answer 20

2,5 second visual memory,
Caregiver heart rate soothing,
Attention to eyes,
Object preferences

Question 21

Prewired for communication Neonate

Answer 21

Visual focus 7,5 inch distance,
Gaze-coupling,
Preference for human voice,
Discrimination of speech sounds,
Entrainment

Question 22

The Neonate (Time?)

Answer 22

From birth to one month

Question 23

The Examiner (Time?)

Answer 23

1-6 months

Question 24

The Examiner characterized by

Answer 24

Voluntary muscle control,
Examines objects,
Full focus at 3 months,
Large muscle control by 6 months,
Visual recognition memory increases,
Searches for caregiver’s voice,
By 3 months expressionless face no longer holds attention,
Complexity,
Eye gaze,
Responds differently to different intonations,
Turn-taking by 3 months

Question 25

The Examiner sound production

Answer 25

Laughter, cooing, gooing,
Sound play, single syllables (CV),
Reduplication babbling

Question 26

The Experimenter (Time?)

Answer 26

7-12 months

Question 27

The Experimenter characteristics

Answer 27

Intentionality,
Downward progression of motor skills,
Responds to name and to no
By 12 months imitation for problem solving

Question 28

The Experimenter communication

Answer 28

By approx 8-9 months intentionally
Verbal communication 8-9 months babbling with CV changes
Sentences like intonation
Protowords
By 12 months communication
Speak one or more words, understands many more,
Mixes words and jargon
Follows simple instructions if visual cue

Question 29

The Examiner cognitive development

Answer 29

By 12 months
Uses common objects appropriately
Can reach while looking away

Question 30

Sensorimotor stage

Answer 30

Birth to 2 years
Piaget
Object permanence acquired (4-8 months)
Means and ends concept (5-6 months)
Steps to achieve goal
Causality