Thoughts and Language Flashcards
What is the relationship between language and thought?
They are complementary; language shapes how we think, and thought influences what we say.
Ex) A culture without a future tense may not focus on long-term planning.
How do humans communicate?
Through verbal (words) and non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions) language.
Ex) Smiling is a non-verbal way to express happiness.
What is infinite generativity?
The ability of language to create endless meaningful sentences.
Ex) You can say “The green alien dances” or “The green alien sings.” The possibilities are endless!
What are the four rule systems of language?
Phonology: Sound system.
Morphology: Word formation.
Syntax: Sentence structure.
Semantics: Meaning of words/sentences.
Ex)“The dog chased the cat” makes sense; “Chased the dog cat the” does not.
What is the critical period for language acquisition?
From birth to puberty, when the brain is most ready to learn language.
Ex) A 3-year-old learns a second language faster than a 30-year-old.
What are the stages of language development in children?
0-6 months: Babbling.
1-2 years: First words.
3-5 years: Full sentences.
Teenage years: Abstract and complex language.
Ex) At 2 years old, kids say “Want cookie.” At 5, they say, “I want a cookie, please.”
What are the steps to problem-solving?
Identify the problem.
Think of solutions.
Pick the best one.
Ex) Broken bike? Fix it yourself or call a repair shop.
What is mindful thinking?
Being aware and open-minded when solving problems or making decisions.
Example: Instead of blaming luck for failing a test, reflect on how much you studied.
What is confirmatory bias?
A: Focusing only on evidence that supports your belief.
Example: Believing someone is rude and only noticing their rude actions.
What is the availability heuristic
Judging based on what comes to mind easily.
Example: Hearing about shark attacks and believing they’re common.
What is illusory correlation
Believing two things are related when they aren’t.
Example: Thinking people who wear glasses are smarter.
