PSYCH 130 - Language Development

phonemes

smallest units of sounds

morphemes

smallest units of meaning

syntax

rules for combining words

pragmatics

understanding how language is used to communicate

species specific

only humans develop language

brain lateralization

language is in the left hemisphere for 90% of right handed people

sensitive period

language development is much more successful before age 5

infant-directed speech

slow, high pitched speech for babies helps them learn, infants prefer

categorical perception

infants can distinguish phonemes in all world languages AT FIRST

perceptual narrowing

by 12 months, specialize to phonemes in native language

word segmentation

where do words stard/end in fluent speech?

distributional properties

sounds often heard together

overextension

use dog for all 4 legged animals (specific name for general category)

underextension

use dog for only their own pet (general name for something very specific)

mutual exclusivity

expecting an entity to only have one name

whole object assumption

a new word refers to an entire object, not just one part

telegraphic speech

two word utterances like “hurt knee”

over-regularization

apply grammar rules to irregular cases (wented instead of went)

behaviorist language theories (Skinner)

language learned through reinforcement and imitation

nativist language theories (Chomsky)

humans have innate universal grammar and ability to learn syntax

acquired distinctiveness

develop sensitivity to important sounds in one’s language

acquired similarity

perceiving similar sounds as identical due to lack of exposure in one’s language