Week 8 - Higher Level Language Processing

Question 1

Define Pragmatics

Answer 1

Understanding intended instead of literal meaning (metaphors , sarcasm)

Question 2

Explain the Standard Pragmatics Model [Grice, 1975]

Answer 2

• Process of literal meaning
• Decide if meaning makes sense or search for alternative
• Challenges to model if non literal meanings are not always more slowly understood

Question 3

Define Discourse Processing

Answer 3

• Language spanning multiple sentences
• Key challenge of missing info but not everything is described : need to infer for full understanding

Question 4

Define and explain the 3 types of interfering

Answer 4

1. LOGICAL : based on meanings of words
2. BRIDGING : based on connecting current / past text
3. ELABORATE: drawn from real life experiences / knowledge

Question 5

2 types of debate towards how much inference spontaneously occurs

Answer 5

1. CONSTRUCTIONIST : readers constrict fairly complete “ mental models “
2. MINIMALIST : few inferences unless due to readers goals

Question 6

Define and explain story processing

Answer 6

• Drawing on more than language processing , need to understand the world the story takes place and connect it to other info

Question 7

Explain and evaluate schema theory

Answer 7

• [Bartlett] : help fill in gaps based on integrated packets of knowledge
  + Account for how prior knowledge aids text comprehension
• Too abstract , untestable