Language, Thinking and Reasoning

Question 1

What is language?

Answer 1

An arbitrary system of communication that combines symbols in a rule-based way to create meaning

Question 2

What are some functions of language?

Answer 2

Communication of information, expressing thoughts and feelings

Question 3

What is pidgin in language?

Answer 3

Basic nouns & verbs, simplified version of a language

Question 4

What is creole?

Answer 4

More syntax and grammatical structures than pidgin, first language rather than second

Question 5

What two disorders have an impact on language and social interaction?

Answer 5

1. Autism spectrum disorder
2. William’s Syndrome

Question 6

There are four levels of analysis of language that must coordinate. What are they?

Answer 6

1. Phonemes - sounds of language
2. Morphemes - smallest units of meaningful speech
3. Syntax - rules and grammar
4. Extralinguistic information - important for interpretation

Question 7

About how many phonemes are there in total?

Answer 7

Around 100, each language has a subset of them

Question 8

How can morphemes be created?

Answer 8

By stringing phonemes together to create the smallest units of meaning

Question 9

What is syntax?

Answer 9

The set of rules to construct sentences, e.g., word order and sentence structure

Question 10

What is the purpose of extralinguistic information?

Answer 10

Helps us interpret ambiguous information, uses other external factors beyond the sentence (e.g. facial expressions, tone of voice, previous statements)

Question 11

What are some examples of pragmatics?

Answer 11

Turn taking, using polite language, opening/closing conversations

Question 12

What are language dialects?

Answer 12

Variations of the same language that use consistent syntax rules

Question 13

What are some disadvantages of learning a new language?

Answer 13

Long learning period that requires hefty brain power, vocal tract increases choking

Question 14

For learning a language to be worth it, the advantages must be useful. What can be some worthwhile benefits?

Answer 14

Communication of complex ideas, coordinated social interactions, assists in complex activities

Question 15

When does native language recognition begin?

Answer 15

Before birth

Question 16

What is babbling?

Answer 16

Practice that infants use with their vocal tracts to help recognize phonemes

Question 17

At what age can an infant recognize their own name? Other words? When can they produce words?

Answer 17

Recognize name - 6 months
Comprehend other words - 10-12 months
Producing words - 1 year

Question 18

What is syntactic development?

Answer 18

Refers to combining words into phrases

Question 19

What is motherese?

Answer 19

Child directed speech that is short and simple, words paired with objects to expand child’s speech

Question 20

How is sign language similar to spoken language?

Answer 20

It has its own set of phonemes (cherems), words, syntax, and extralinguistic information, the same brain areas are involved, and developmental stages are the same as spoken language

Question 21

What are the 4 theories of language acquisition?

Answer 21

1. Imitation
2. Nativist
3. Social pragmatics
4. General cognitive processing

Question 22

What does the imitation language theory suggest?

Answer 22

Babies hear language used in systematic ways & learn to use language as adults use it

Question 23

What’s a major conflict against the imitation theory of language acquisition?

Answer 23

Doesn’t account for generative nature of language

Question 24

What does the nativist theory of language acquisition suggest?

Answer 24

Children are born with some basic knowledge

Question 25

What makes the nativist language acquisition theory questionable?

Answer 25

It’s difficult to falsify

Question 26

What does the social pragmatics theory of language acquisition suggest?

Answer 26

Specific aspects of the social environment structure language learning, assumes that infants have insight into others’ thoughts

Question 27

What is general cognitive processing?

Answer 27

General skills children apply across a variety of activities

Question 28

What is linguistic determinism?

Answer 28

The view that we represent all thinking linguistically

Question 29

What is linguistic relativity?

Answer 29

Characteristics of language shape our thought processes

Question 30

We must learn 4 things prior to reading. What are they?

Answer 30

1. Writing is meaningful
2. Writing moves in a specific direction
3. Recognizing letters of the alphabet
4. Printed letters correspond to specific sounds

Question 31

To master reading, what two skills do we need to learn?

Answer 31

1. How the words look on the page - whole word recognition
2. How to sound out unfamiliar words - phonetic decomposition

Question 32

How fast does the average student read?

Answer 32

200-300 WPM

Question 33

If one were to read above 400 WPM, how much does comprehension drop?

Answer 33

Below 50%

Question 34

What is thinking?

Answer 34

Any mental activity or processing of information, includes learning, remembering, communicating, as they are fundamental aspects of cognition

Question 35

What is top-down processing?

Answer 35

Streamlines cognitive functioning by utilizing pre-existing knowledge

Question 36

What is higher order cognition?

Answer 36

The process of decision making and problem solving

Question 37

What are 3 obstacles to problem solving?

Answer 37

1. Awareness of surface similarities
2. Mental sets
3. Functional fixedness