Ch 9 Language and thought

What is language?

A set of symbols used for communication, which can be spoken, signed, or written.

What are the components of language?

Language production, speech, and language comprehension.

What is a phoneme?

The smallest unit of sound in a language, such as the sounds in the word 'pig'.

What is phonology?

The study of how individual sounds or phonemes are used to produce language.

What is a morpheme?

The smallest unit of a language that conveys meaning, such as 'pig' and 's' in 'pigs'.

What does semantics study?

The meaning of words.

What is syntax?

The system for using words and word order to convey meaning.

What is pragmatics?

The practical aspects of language usage, including speech pace and body language.

What is the sequence of language learning for infants?

Prevocal learning, cooing, babbling, first words, telegraphic speech, and understanding pragmatics.

What is Chomsky's theory of language development?

Children are genetically programmed to learn language, possessing a language acquisition device.

What is Skinner's theory of language development?

Language is entirely learned through reinforcement and rewards.

What is the critical period in language development?

A window of time during which certain influences are necessary for appropriate brain formation for language.

What is child-directed speech?

Simple, high-pitched, slow-paced, emotion-charged speech used by adults when speaking with children.

What is overregularization in language development?

When children over-apply grammatical rules to irregular parts of speech, such as saying 'thinked' instead of 'thought'.

What role does Broca's area play in language?

It is critical for speech production.

What is Broca's aphasia?

A condition where damage to Broca's area results in the inability to produce coherent speech.

How does language shape thoughts and behaviors?

Language can influence how we think and how we communicate with others.

What is the linguistic relativity hypothesis?

The idea that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview or cognition.

What is the relationship between comprehension and production in language development?

Comprehension develops faster than production in early language learning.

What is the significance of reading in language development?

Reading begins around age five or six and is a complex behavior that builds on language foundations.

What is the impact of poverty on language development?

Poverty can lead to worse language and reading development due to less complex linguistic environments.

What are the signs of language development at three years old?

Basic understanding of practical information regarding language, including pausing between sentences.

What are the signs of language development at four years old?

Basic rules of grammar are understood without formal education.

What is the role of exposure in language learning?

Children need exposure to language stimuli to learn effectively.

What is the difference between a critical period and a sensitive period in language development?

A critical period is essential for language formation, while a sensitive period is when the brain is more susceptible to influences.

What is the significance of storytelling in early reading?

Children often begin learning to read by telling stories from pictures in books.

What is the importance of self-awareness in thought processes?

Developing self-awareness about one's thought processes can enhance problem-solving habits.

What is Agrammatism?

A neurological condition where the patient is incapable of using words in grammatical sequence due to damage near Broca's area.

What is the function of Wernicke's area?

Critical for language comprehension.

What is Wernicke's Aphasia?

A condition where a person cannot understand language, leading to fluent but disordered speech.

What factors influence language acquisition?

Environment, gender (girls acquire language faster), and age (ability declines as we age).

What are the cognitive benefits of second language acquisition?

Protective against cognitive decline, related to higher executive function, and connected to cultural identities.

What is mental imagery?

The process of picturing or visualizing a sensory experience.

What does the linguistic relativity hypothesis suggest?

The vocabulary available in a language influences how speakers think about objects or concepts.

How do cultural variations affect language?

Different languages have varying numbers of words for living things, colors, and numbers, impacting understanding and mastery.

What is automatic processing in thought?

Effortless thought that is not easily disrupted by distractions.

What is controlled processing?

Effortful thought that relies on a limited-capacity system and is more susceptible to distraction.

What is cognitive control?

The ability to direct thought in accordance with one's intentions, maintaining focus despite distractions.

What is executive function?

The brain's ability to control and manage mental processing of information.

What is dysexecutive syndrome?

Impairments in the ability to control and direct mental activities.

What are the steps to solving a problem?

1. Define the problem; 2. Find a strategy for solving it.

What is an algorithm?

A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution to a problem.

What is a heuristic?

A shortcut to solving problems that does not guarantee a correct solution.

What is insight in problem-solving?

A sudden realization of the answer to a problem.

What is functional fixedness?

The tendency to view objects as having only one function, hindering problem-solving.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to seek information that confirms our existing beliefs or expectations.

What is the representativeness heuristic?

The assumption that individuals share characteristics of the category they belong to.

What is the availability heuristic?

Judging events as more common based on how easily they can be recalled from memory.

What is rational decision making?

Choosing alternatives based on a set of criteria and ranking them according to their utility.

What is emotional decision making?

Making decisions based on emotions rather than rational analysis.

What is metacognition?

Thinking about one's own thoughts, including self-reflection and understanding mental states.

How does theory of mind develop in children?

Gradually, with milestones such as understanding others' perspectives and lying to avoid punishment.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

A mental disorder characterized by anxiety-provoking thoughts (obsessions) leading to ritualistic behaviors (compulsions).

What is schizophrenia?

A mental disorder characterized by disorganized thoughts, lack of reality contact, and sometimes auditory hallucinations.