Ch 2 and 4 Vocab Flashcards
generative/nativist
One approach to language learning. Assumes that children are able to acquire knowledge because they are born with innate rules or principles related to structures of human languages, such as an LAD.
constructionist
One approach to language learning. Assumes that children learn linguistic knowledge from the environmental input to which they are exposed. Language structure emerges from language use.
emergentism
One approach to language acquisition. Views language as a structure arising from existing interacting patterns in the human brain rather than from language-specific structures, such as an LAD.
behaviorist
a person who studies behavior
accomodation
a transformation process in response to external stimuli that do not fit into any available scheme and, therefore, cannot be assimilated.
adaptation
the function or tendency of all organisms to change in response to the environment
assimilation
the use of existing schemes to incorporate external stimuli
babbling
the sound units an infant produces at this age; has a social element - an infant will vary the volume, pitch, and rate of babbling to attract attention
echolalia
an immediate imitation of some other speaker
equilibrium
a state of cognitive balance between incoming stimuli and the organism’s cognitive structures.
habituation
becoming used to a stimulus
neonate
newborns
reflexes
automatic, involuntary motor patterns
schemes
a baby’s cognitive structures used for processing incoming sensory information.
symbol
something used to represent something else
