Topic 8: language + aspects of development Flashcards
1
Q
5 Component of language
A
1) Phonology
2) Morphology
3) Semantics
4) Syntax
5) Pragmatics
2
Q
Explain phonology
A
- Sound of language
- English = 40 speech sounds = phonemes
- Children learn to produce + recognize language = separate from environmental noises/human noises
- Learn when subtle differences in speech sounds = change in meaning
3
Q
Explain morphology
A
- Structure of words = composed of building blocks = morphemes
- Each part = particular meaning
- E.g. redesigned:
> Re = again
> Design = verb
> Ed = past action
4
Q
Explain semantics
A
- Association of meaning with word
- Combinations of phonemes = represent concepts + understanding meaning and how they relate to another in categories
5
Q
Explain syntax
A
- How words are put together to form sentences
- Must be able to differentiate between meanings of sentences
- E.g. ‘I only have..’ OR ‘Only I have..’
6
Q
Explain pragmatics
A
- Language depends on the context
- Way we speak differs depending on audience + relationship with audience
7
Q
Define babbling
A
- Important pre-cursor of language
- Childern without exception = hearing/deaf = spontaneously babble during 1st year
- Hearing = highest frequency 9-12 months
- Deaf = ceases soon after beginning
8
Q
Describe the language development timeline
A
- Consistent among children
- 12-18 months: add 1 word per month
- 18 months: exponential = dozens of words
- 18-20 months: start to combine words = basic sentences
- 2-3 years: speak longer sentences + vocab increases
- Longer sentences = increase in grammatical errors = internalize rules of grammar
9
Q
Define observational + operant conditioning
A
- Operant conditioning via association = learn info = positive reponse = repeat + increase learning
- Parents usually correct vocab but not grammar
- Therefore this theory explains learning meaning of words but not how complex grammar is learnt
10
Q
Define nativism
A
- Innate predisposition towards language
- Critical period to learn language = 2-puberty
- Later learning is not very effective
11
Q
Define Chomsky’s theory of language acquisition device
A
- There is certain devices = structure = in our brain with predisposition towards language
- Animal studies support this theory as they have not been successful in learning language
- However no research where region identified as LAD in brain
12
Q
Define interactionism
A
- Nature vs nurture
- Our biological predisposition towards language vs opportunity in upbringing + environment to develop
13
Q
Define Whorfian hypothesis
A
- Language affects thinking
- Language influences our cognition + vise versa BUT not determine thinking process
- We think with information we have available = words/images = language eventually
- The more educated = know more words = more elaborate thinking
14
Q
Define Vygotsky’s theory of social development
A
- Role of social interactions in cognitive development = with authority/community or if behavior rewarded and established
- Role of culture = in a setting or community
- Role of language in learning = if not communicated to be taught something how would we learn
15
Q
Define theory of mind
A
- Children don’t understand that others have different knowledge than them + others don’t know what they’re thinking
- Should be taken into consideration when dealing with children in medical practice
