Module 3: Language and Thought

Question 1

Phonemes

Answer 1

The smallest unit of sound recognized as separate in a given language. 46 Phonemes in total in English. Does not really give meaning to words.
ex: “d” sound in the’

Question 2

Morphemes

Answer 2

Smallest units of meaning. Stands for objects, relationships, etc. Can be words or prefixes.
ex: “play” in ‘player’

Question 3

Hierarchical Structure of Language

Answer 3

• Phonemes
• Morphemes
• Words
• Phrases
• Sentence

Question 4

Phonology

Answer 4

Specifies how phonemes can be arranged to produce morphemes.

Question 5

Morphology

Answer 5

Specifies how morphemes can be combined to form words.

Question 6

Syntax

Answer 6

Specifies how words can be combined to produce phrases, sentences, in order.

Question 7

Learning Grammar Implicitly

Answer 7

Knowledge of rules is shown by distinguishing acceptable from unacceptable sentences. Can’t usually state the rules, but we use them.

Question 8

Developmental Stage: 0-3 Months

Answer 8

Coos, gurgles, and orients to sounds.

Question 9

Developmental Stage: 4-6 Months

Answer 9

Responds to names; emits vowels and consonant sounds; babbles and cries

Question 10

Developmental Stage: 7-18 Months

Answer 10

Copies gestures; become specialized for native language; responds to gestures.

Question 11

Developmental Stage: 2-3 Years

Answer 11

Uses short sentences; matches objects to names; follows instructions.

Question 12

Developmental Stage: 4-5 Years

Answer 12

Uses proper simple grammar; memorizes simple songs; clearer speech.

Question 13

Developmental Stage: 10+ Years

Answer 13

Stored 50-10,000 words; can speak 2-4 words per second.

Question 14

Chomsky’s Nativist Theory of Language

Answer 14

• “Nature”
• Brains are evolved to produce language (LAD)
• Critical periods for language demonstrate a biological constraint. Also known as “sensitive period” because knowledge can still be acquired outside this time period.
• Children across cultures acquire nouns before verbs

Question 15

Skinner’s Environmental Theory of Language

Answer 15

• '’Nurture”
• Language is a verbal behaviour. Reinforcement mediated by another person.
• Mand is one type of verbal behaviour. Refer to notes for visualization and order.
• Speaker is more likely to ask for something in the future when they get what they asked for.

Question 16

Child Directed Speech

Answer 16

When using a higher pitch to gain and maintain the child’s interest in the conversation.

Question 17

Broca’s Area

Answer 17

Found in the lower left of the frontal lobe (between FL and TL). Also known as non-fluent aphasia. Responsible for speech production.

Question 18

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 18

Found in the middle part of the temporal lobe on the right. Also known as fluent aphasia; word salad. Responsible for speech comprehension.

Question 19

What is the purpose of Language?

Answer 19

• Communicate thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
• Facilitate social communication.
• Connect abstract concepts to the real world.

Question 20

Linguistic Relativity (Superior Wharf Hypothesis)

Answer 20

The language a person is raised with impacts how people conceptualize and interact w/ the world around them, creating a direct relationship between language and thinking.

Question 21

Linguistic Determination/Relativity Hypothesis

Answer 21

Language determines what we are capable of thinking. Current view=language influences thinking.

Question 22

Influences of Language

Answer 22

• How we think
• How efficiently we categorize experiences
• How much detail we attend to
• Perceptions
• Decisions
• Conclusions drawn

Question 23

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Answer 23

Evidence for linguistic relativity.

ex: Russian speakers divide the blue colour spectrum more than English speakers.

Question 24

Bilingualism shapes personality profiles

Answer 24

Bilingual people have different personality profiles depending on the language they are doing it in.

Question 25

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 25

Reason from general principles to a conclusion. Useful process in forming hypotheses. - General Principle - Hypothesis - Experiment

Question 26

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 26

Start w/ specific facts and try to develop a general principle. Make observations that lead to general principle.

Question 27

How do we find solutions to problems?

Answer 27

1) Initial State 2) Strategy Application 3) Desired Solution

Question 28

Mental Set

Answer 28

A tendency to only see solutions that have worked in the past. Influences how we approach a problem. Can lead to fixations and narrows our ability to think of novel solutions.

Question 29

Functional Fixedness

Answer 29

Mental set preventing the use of objects for purposes outside of their normal use. Limits creative problem-solving because it causes people to ignore possible solutions to problems.

Question 30

Trial-and-error

Answer 30

Testing possible solutions until the right one is found

Question 31

Algorithm

Answer 31

A set of steps that will lead to a solution. Apply a precise set of rules that vary by context to solve a problem.

Question 32

Heuristics

Answer 32

A rule of thumb, strategy, or mental shortcut that generally works for solving a problem.

Question 33

Representative Heuristic

Answer 33

Assume something belongs to a category because it resembles the prototype. The probability of two events occurring together (in "conjunction") is always less than or equal to the probability of either one occurring alone.

Question 34

Availability Heuristic

Answer 34

Rule of thumb that we accurately estimate frequencies of events based on how difficult it is to think of them.

Question 35

Confirmation Bias

Answer 35

Only pay attention to evidence that supports our original position and ignore disconfirming evidence. People have the tendency to seek evidence that confirms their beliefs, and prevent looking at situations objectively. Leads to poor decision-making.

Question 36

Framing Effect

Answer 36

How you present information/frame the question influences the choices people make: Equivalent information can be more or less attractive depending on what features are highlighted. The same facts presented in two different ways can lead to people making different judgements or decisions.

Question 37

Prospect Theory

Answer 37

People tend to avoid risk when a positive frame is presented but seek risks when a negative frame is presented. People tend to fear loss and take action to avoid losses more so than gains.

Question 38

Dual-Processing Theory

Answer 38

System 1: - Fast - Unconscious - Automatic - Everyday Decisions - Error-Prone System 2: - Slow - Conscious - Effortful - Complex Decisions - Reliable