Lecture 2 - Developmental Psychology 2 Flashcards
What are the six components of language development?
Pragmatics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Theoretical Perspectives
What is pragmatics in language development?
The study of how language is used in context, focusing on social aspects of communication.
What are examples of pragmatic rules in conversation?
Taking turns, making eye contact, maintaining appropriate distance, and using polite forms.
What does phonology study?
The sound system of a language and how sounds are used and organized.
What is a phoneme?
The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning in a language.
Give an example of phonemes changing meaning.
“Cat” vs. “Bat” — changing the initial phoneme changes the word.
What does morphology study?
The structure and formation of words, including morphemes.
What is a morpheme?
The smallest grammatical unit that carries meaning.
What is the difference between free and bound morphemes?
Free morphemes can stand alone (e.g., “book”); bound morphemes must attach to another morpheme (e.g., “-s”, “-ed”).
What is syntax?
The set of rules that govern sentence structure and the order of words.
Why is syntax important in language development?
It allows children to construct meaningful and grammatically correct sentences.
What does semantics refer to?
The meaning of words, phrases, and sentences.
What does semantic development involve?
Learning vocabulary and understanding the meanings of words and their relationships.
What does the nativist theory propose about language development?
That humans are biologically programmed to acquire language.
What is the LAD (Language Acquisition Device)?
A hypothetical brain mechanism proposed by Chomsky that enables infants to acquire language.
What is universal grammar?
The theory that all human languages share a common underlying structure.
How does the learning theory explain language acquisition?
Through reinforcement, imitation, and conditioning.
According to Skinner, how do children learn language?
By imitating adults and receiving positive reinforcement when using language correctly.
What is the main idea behind interactionist theories?
Language develops through interaction between biological and social factors.
What is the role of a caregiver in Vygotsky’s theory?
Providing scaffolding within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
What is the LASS (Language Acquisition Support System)?
Bruner’s idea that caregivers support children’s language development through interaction.
