Language Development and Psychological Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to language development and psychological theories as presented in the lecture notes.

Phonemes

The smallest units of sound that can change the meaning of a word.

Morphemes

The smallest units of meaning, including roots and affixes.

Prosody

The rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech that convey emotion or meaning.

Syntax

The grammatical rules for combining words into sensible sentences.

Voice Onset Time (VOT)

The length of time between when air passes through the lips and when vocal cords start vibrating.

Babbling

Repetitive consonant-vowel sequences produced by infants typically around 6–10 months.

Language Comprehension vs. Production

The distinction between understanding words and being able to speak them.

Telegraphic Speech

Short sentences that leave out non-essential words, common in toddlers.

Word Segmentation

The process of discovering where one word ends and another begins in speech.

Overextension

Using a word too broadly to refer to many objects that are not accurate.

Underextension

Using a word too narrowly, limiting it to a single instance.

Overregularization

Applying grammatical rules to exceptions, reflecting rule learning.

Cross-situational Word Learning

Figuring out word meanings by observing consistent elements in different situations.

Categorical Perception

The tendency to perceive sounds belonging to distinct categories rather than a continuous spectrum.

Syntactic Bootstrapping

Using grammatical structure to infer the meaning of a new word.

Pragmatics

The social rules governing language use in communication.

Infant-Directed Speech (IDS)

A high-pitched, exaggerated way adults communicate with babies.

Universal Grammar

Chomsky's theory that humans are born with innate rules for language.

Generative

The ability to create an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of words and rules.

Bilingualism

The ability to communicate fluently in two languages.

Attachment Theory

The theory emphasizing the importance of emotional bonds between infants and caregivers.

Secure Attachment

A healthy attachment where the infant is upset when the caregiver leaves but comforted upon return.

Internal Working Model of Attachment

A mental representation of self and relationships developed through interactions with caregivers.

Self-Concept

A conceptual system comprising one's thoughts about oneself.

Self-Esteem

The individual's subjective evaluation of their worth.

Identity Achievement

The stage where an individual has explored options and committed to their identity.