PSYCH AI ch 9 language Flashcards
What does it mean for a language to be rule-bound?
Language is governed by specific rules that dictate how symbols can be combined to communicate effectively.
What is the role of syntax in language?
Syntax refers to the set of rules that determine the structure and order of words in sentences.
What is the interpersonal aspect of language?
Language serves to communicate thoughts and emotions between individuals, facilitating social interaction.
What is the role of creativity in language use?
Creativity in language allows individuals to combine symbols in unique ways to express new ideas and emotions.
How do nonhuman animals use symbols?
Nonhuman animals can learn to recognize and use symbols to communicate, though their ability is less flexible than that of humans.
What is an example of a phonological challenge for non-native English speakers?
The combination of sounds in the word ‘squirrel’ can be particularly difficult for speakers of other languages.
What are phonological rules in language?
Phonological rules dictate the permissible combinations and sounds of phonemes in a given language.
How does human language differ from animal communication?
Human language allows for creative use of symbols, enabling the generation of novel sentences that convey complex ideas.
As children’s verbal skills develop, their reliance on nonverbal communication, such as tantrums, decreases.
What is a phoneme?
A phoneme is the smallest unit of speech sound in a language.
What is the phenomenon of overgeneralization in language development?
Overgeneralization occurs when children incorrectly apply language rules, such as using ‘mices’ instead of ‘mice’.
What are phonological rules?
Phonological rules dictate the permissible combinations of sounds in a given language.
What is the defining characteristic of language?
Language is symbolic, meaning it uses symbols to convey meaning.
What are morphological rules?
Morphological rules govern how morphemes, the smallest units of meaning, are combined to form words.
What is the significance of the example ‘colorless green ideas sleep furiously’?
This example illustrates that humans can create grammatically correct sentences that may lack coherent meaning.
Explain the concept of infinite possibilities in language despite being rule-bound.
While languages have rules, the combinations of symbols allow for an almost limitless expression of ideas and meanings.
What is the impact of language on conveying complex ideas?
Language enables the expression of intricate thoughts and emotions that would be difficult to communicate through nonverbal means alone.
What distinguishes human symbolic communication from that of other species?
Humans uniquely possess the ability to create and understand complex sentences that may not have immediate relevance or meaning.
What are morphemes in language?
Morphemes are the smallest grammatical units in a language that carry meaning.
Describe the differences in word formation between English and German.
English tends to separate words to modify meaning, while German often combines words into longer constructions.
What are syntactic rules?
Syntactic rules, or grammar, dictate how words can be combined to form sentences.
What role does prosody play in language?
Prosody refers to the rhythm, tone, and pitch of speech, which can significantly alter meaning.
What is the relationship between morphemes and memory?
Morpheme combinations are stored in memory as networks of related terms.
What is the role of rhythm in speech?
Rhythm can convey emotions such as excitement or frustration, enhancing communication.
What is the impact of grammatical structure on children’s language use?
Children may grasp grammatical structures even if they mispronounce words or misuse morphemes.
What are the implications of recognizing grammatical violations?
Fast recognition of grammatical violations indicates that the understanding of grammar is automatic.
What role do facial expressions play in communication?
Facial expressions convey important emotional information that can significantly alter the meaning of spoken language.
What is the language acquisition device proposed by Noam Chomsky?
The language acquisition device is a theoretical construct that suggests humans are born with a specialized mechanism in the brain for learning language.
How can strokes affect language abilities?
Strokes can impair either comprehension or production of language, leading to conditions where individuals can speak but not understand or vice versa.
What is the importance of transience in detecting lies?
Transience indicates that people’s memories for fabricated stories are often inconsistent, which can be exploited to identify potential dishonesty.
How can infants’ preferences for faces influence their development?
Infants are naturally drawn to face-like patterns, which helps them recognize social interactions and emotional cues essential for their development.
What is the significance of the motor planning area in speech?
The motor planning area is crucial for coordinating complex movements required for articulating speech sounds.
How does cultural context influence the interpretation of communication?
Cultural context shapes the rules for eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions, which can alter the meaning of communication.
What is the role of gestures in language learning for children?
Gestures play a fundamental role in language learning by helping children express and emphasize their thoughts before they acquire verbal skills.
What can be inferred about a person’s emotional state through their facial expressions?
Facial expressions can provide clear indicators of a person’s emotional state, influencing the interpretation of their verbal communication.