Module 3: Language and Thought Flashcards
Phonemes
The smallest unit of sound recognized as separate in a given language. 46 Phonemes in total in English. Does not really give meaning to words.
ex: “d” sound in the’
Morphemes
Smallest units of meaning. Stands for objects, relationships, etc. Can be words or prefixes.
ex: “play” in ‘player’
Hierarchical Structure of Language
- Phonemes
- Morphemes
- Words
- Phrases
- Sentence
Phonology
Specifies how phonemes can be arranged to produce morphemes.
Morphology
Specifies how morphemes can be combined to form words.
Syntax
Specifies how words can be combined to produce phrases, sentences, in order.
Learning Grammar Implicitly
Knowledge of rules is shown by distinguishing acceptable from unacceptable sentences. Can’t usually state the rules, but we use them.
Developmental Stage: 0-3 Months
Coos, gurgles, and orients to sounds.
Developmental Stage: 4-6 Months
Responds to names; emits vowels and consonant sounds; babbles and cries
Developmental Stage: 7-18 Months
Copies gestures; become specialized for native language; responds to gestures.
Developmental Stage: 2-3 Years
Uses short sentences; matches objects to names; follows instructions.
Developmental Stage: 4-5 Years
Uses proper simple grammar; memorizes simple songs; clearer speech.
Developmental Stage: 10+ Years
Stored 50-10,000 words; can speak 2-4 words per second.
Chomsky’s Nativist Theory of Language
- “Nature”
- Brains are evolved to produce language (LAD)
- Critical periods for language demonstrate a biological constraint. Also known as “sensitive period” because knowledge can still be acquired outside this time period.
- Children across cultures acquire nouns before verbs
Skinner’s Environmental Theory of Language
- '’Nurture”
- Language is a verbal behaviour. Reinforcement mediated by another person.
- Mand is one type of verbal behaviour. Refer to notes for visualization and order.
- Speaker is more likely to ask for something in the future when they get what they asked for.
Child Directed Speech
When using a higher pitch to gain and maintain the child’s interest in the conversation.
Broca’s Area
Found in the lower left of the frontal lobe (between FL and TL). Also known as non-fluent aphasia. Responsible for speech production.
Wernicke’s Area
Found in the middle part of the temporal lobe on the right. Also known as fluent aphasia; word salad. Responsible for speech comprehension.
What is the purpose of Language?
- Communicate thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
- Facilitate social communication.
- Connect abstract concepts to the real world.
Linguistic Relativity (Superior Wharf Hypothesis)
The language a person is raised with impacts how people conceptualize and interact w/ the world around them, creating a direct relationship between language and thinking.
Linguistic Determination/Relativity Hypothesis
Language determines what we are capable of thinking. Current view=language influences thinking.
Influences of Language
- How we think
- How efficiently we categorize experiences
- How much detail we attend to
- Perceptions
- Decisions
- Conclusions drawn
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Evidence for linguistic relativity.
ex: Russian speakers divide the blue colour spectrum more than English speakers.
Bilingualism shapes personality profiles
Bilingual people have different personality profiles depending on the language they are doing it in.
Deductive Reasoning
Reason from general principles to a conclusion. Useful process in forming hypotheses.
- General Principle
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
Inductive Reasoning
Start w/ specific facts and try to develop a general principle. Make observations that lead to general principle.
How do we find solutions to problems?
1) Initial State
2) Strategy Application
3) Desired Solution
Mental Set
A tendency to only see solutions that have worked in the past. Influences how we approach a problem. Can lead to fixations and narrows our ability to think of novel solutions.
Functional Fixedness
Mental set preventing the use of objects for purposes outside of their normal use. Limits creative problem-solving because it causes people to ignore possible solutions to problems.
Trial-and-error
Testing possible solutions until the right one is found
Algorithm
A set of steps that will lead to a solution. Apply a precise set of rules that vary by context to solve a problem.
Heuristics
A rule of thumb, strategy, or mental shortcut that generally works for solving a problem.
Representative Heuristic
Assume something belongs to a category because it resembles the prototype. The probability of two events occurring together (in “conjunction”) is always less than or equal to the probability of either one occurring alone.
Availability Heuristic
Rule of thumb that we accurately estimate frequencies of events based on how difficult it is to think of them.
Confirmation Bias
Only pay attention to evidence that supports our original position and ignore disconfirming evidence. People have the tendency to seek evidence that confirms their beliefs, and prevent looking at situations objectively. Leads to poor decision-making.
Framing Effect
How you present information/frame the question influences the choices people make: Equivalent information can be more or less attractive depending on what features are highlighted. The same facts presented in two different ways can lead to people making different judgements or decisions.
Prospect Theory
People tend to avoid risk when a positive frame is presented but seek risks when a negative frame is presented. People tend to fear loss and take action to avoid losses more so than gains.
Dual-Processing Theory
System 1:
- Fast
- Unconscious
- Automatic
- Everyday Decisions
- Error-Prone
System 2:
- Slow
- Conscious
- Effortful
- Complex Decisions
- Reliable
