Studied by 8 peoplewhat are the basic processes of language development according to the behaviorist perspective?
driven by the language environment, such as reinforcement and imitation
does the research support the behaviorist perspective?
somewhat
what is Chomsky's nativist argument? how is language naturally developed?
language is universal, self-motivating, and due to a language organ combined with universal grammar
criticisms of the nativist argument
grammar of different languages is incredibly diverse, no concrete evidence of a "language organ"
what sounds do infants distinguish? what do they categorize like adults?
distinguish all language sounds; categorize p and b the same way
evidence for teaching language
children learn vocab faster, parents supply words
evidence against teaching language
adults rarely correct incorrect grammar, in some cultures adults don't speak to children
how do infants differentiate words?
via statistical probabilities - some syllable sequences paired more often than others
Saffran et al (1996) - Statistical Probabilities
method: nonsense words without spaces for 2 minds, whether babies differentiated nonsense words they heard vs new words
conclusion: children can tell what sounds go together with little experience and no spaces
Tincoff and Juscyzk (1999) - Linking Words to Objects
method: played videos of both parents on different screens to 6 month olds and played voice saying mommy or daddy
results: infant looked longer at named parent
what is fast mapping?
when children can figure out meaning of a word after hearing it only a few times in context
fast mapping assumptions
word refers to whole object, object has one name
fast mapping grammatical cues
transitive vs intransitive words, duck gorping the bunny vs the duck and bunny are gorping
fast mapping social cues
adults give context
Baldwin (1991) - Social Cues
gaze following helps children correctly identify object using novel word
Tomasello and Barton (1994) - Social Cues
accidentally perform action with new word, children don't associate the two
do infants learn nouns more easily?
no, Western parents just use more nouns
examples of one-word phase stage
"ball" or "milk" means "I want the ball (or milk)"
examples of two-word phase stage
"Mommy sleep" or "milk allgone"
underextensions
only using word for specific referents
ex: "bottle" for only the specific bottle they drink out of
overextension
using word that doesn't fit
ex: calling a cat a "doggie"
why are overextensions logical/useful?
comprehend more than can produce due to limited vocab
how is grammar fine tuned?
via overgeneralization - children figure out grammar pattern but overapply the rule (ex: "mouses")
critical period
brain is especially receptive to grammar learning before puberty, new languages can only be fully learned early
evidence for a critical period
immigrants to US before vs after age 8, "late learners" of sign language
evidence against a critical period
adults can learn English as well as native speakers, language-learning is gradual -> sensitive period
Note
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