W9 EXAMINABLE CONTENT Flashcards
What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
Language shapes the way we think. Because languages vary in structure and semantic partitioning, speakers of different languages will perceive the world differently.
Do language differences always mean differences in thought?
Not necessarily—speaking differently doesn’t always mean thinking differently. Sapir and Whorf lacked systematic experimental evidence.
Do different languages influence colour cognition? (Winawer et al., 2007)
Yes—supports linguistic relativity. Russians, with distinct words for shades of blue, distinguish them faster than English speakers, who see all as “blue.”
What aspects of numerical cognition are independent from language?
The operation of two non-symbolic number systems (analog magnitude system, object individuation system) is independent.
What is symbolic number representation, and how does it depend on langua
Symbolic number representation uses language-based symbols (e.g., “3,” “seven”) for precise counting and math. Language enables this, shaping numerical cognition.
What do symbolic number systems support?
Precise number representations (without any limits), recording numbers.
How do number-naming systems differ between English and Mandarin Chinese?
Mandarin Chinese follows a consistent base-10 structure (e.g., “ten-one” for 11), while English has irregular names (e.g., “eleven,” “twelve”), making number learning harder for English-speaking children.
What tasks were used to test children’s numerical skills? In the ENGLISH/MANDARIN STUDY
Abstract counting – Saying numbers in order.
Object counting – Assigning numbers to objects.
Problem-solving (Give-N task) – Giving a specific number of objects (e.g., 2, 4, 7, 12).
How do different number-naming systems affect children’s math skills?
Transparent number systems (e.g., Mandarin) help children grasp numerical concepts more easily than irregular systems (e.g., English).
What were the observations from these tasks? Beifung Chaw
Chinese-speaking children performed better across all tasks and had less difficulty with numbers 11–19 compared to English-speaking children.
What does this suggest about language and numerical cognition?
Language enables precise and limitless number representation. Number systems like Mandarin’s base-10 structure make learning easier, giving speakers a cognitive advantage in early math development.
How does language help young children with spatial reference frames?
Language helps children integrate landmark-based (relative) and allocentric (geometric) spatial frames, improving navigation and spatial understanding.
What are the frames of reference for representing space?
THE ELA
Egocentric representation is when objects are represented relative to one’s own body, such as “in front of me.” (viewer dependent)
Landmark-based representation involves objects being represented relative to external landmarks, such as “by the door.” (viewer independent)
Allocentric or absolute representation involves objects being represented relative to fixed environmental features, such as “The book is on the eastern wall” (viewer independent)
What is encoding orientation?
Encoding orientation is how spatial information is stored, using landmarks (relative positioning) or geometry (absolute positioning) to navigate and recall locations.
What are the types of encoding orientations?
→ Relative (to the speaker): e.g., “The cat is on my right.”
→ Absolute (cardinal direction): e.g., “The cat is north of the car.”
How does language influence spatial encoding? (Levinson, 1997)
Language shapes spatial memory. Dutch speakers (relative encoders) use left-right order, while Tzeltal speakers (absolute encoders) use north-south order, reflecting their language’s spatial system.
How does language influence spatial encoding in children? (Haun et al., 2011)
→ By 8 years old, children encode space like adults.
→ Dutch children (relative encoders) use left-right, while Namibian children (absolute encoders) use north-south.
→ Switching strategies is difficult, showing strong language influence.
How do spatial semantic categories differ across languages? WHAZ GOOD KOREA
English distinguishes containment (“put in”) vs. support (“put on”), while Korean focuses on tight-fit (“kkita”) vs. loose-fit (various verbs), showing different ways of categorizing space.
How does language influence toddlers’ sensitivity to spatial categories?
At 18–24 months, English- and Korean-learning toddlers distinguish tight vs. loose fit. By 3 years, English learners lose this sensitivity, showing language shapes spatial perception early.
