Chapter 8 Flashcards
cognition
mental processes of thinking
morphemes
smallest units of meaning, root words, prefixes and suffixes
semantics
understanding the meaning of words and word combinations
syntax
a system of rules that specify how words can be arranged into sentences
fast mapping
process by which children map a word onto an underlying concept after only one exposure
overextension
child incorrectly uses a word to describe a wider set of objects or actions than is meant to
underextension
child incorrectly uses a word to describe a narrower set of objects than is meant to
3 month old infants
can distinguish phonemes from all languages
6-8 months
babbling
10-13 months
first words
end of 2nd year
sentences
telegraphic speech
content words, less critical words are omitted
metalinguistic awareness
ability to reflect on the use of language
nativist theory
humans are equipped with a language acquisition device that facilitates the learning of a new language
interactionist theories
both environment and biology play a role
linguistic relativity
one’s language determines one’s thought
phonemes
smallest speech units in a language that can by distinguished
language
symbols and rules for combining them that can be used to relay messages
functional fixedness
tendency to perceive an item only in terms of its most common use
mental set
people persist in using problem solving strategies that have worked in the past
algorithm
a methodical, step by step procedure for trying all possible alternative in the search of a solution to a problem
heuristic
a guiding principle or rule of thumb used in solving problems or making decision
incubation effect
new solutions surface for an unsolved problem after not thinking about if for a while
decision making
evaluating alternatives and making choices among them
