EXAM 1- SLHS 2204

How does the 'narrowing approach' describe the initial state of the infant brain regarding language?

As having minimal predispositions that focus attention on specific environmental aspects

What does developmental psycholinguistics study?

The progressive acquisition of comprehension and production

At what stage of development does the fetus begin processing linguistic sounds?

20 weeks into gestation

Which quality of sound does the fetus primarily become familiar with during gestation?

Mother's voice and the language she speaks

According to the presentation, what does synaptic pruning in language development involve?

Removal of unnecessary neural connections to enhance efficiency

What does the term 'left lateralization' refer to in the context of language processing?

The development of language skills in the left hemisphere of the brain

Which theorist is most associated with the concept of Universal Grammar?

Noam Chomsky

What does 'functional specialization' in the context of language acquisition refer to?

The role of specific brain areas in processing language

What is a key characteristic of domain-general theories of language acquisition?

They apply general learning mechanisms to language.

What does the term 'tabula rasa' refer to in the context of language acquisition?

A blank slate where experience imprints structure

According to Piaget, cognitive development is seen as a foundation for what?

Language learning

According to the presentation, what is a critical factor for language acquisition?

Nature and nurture

What is the key argument between nativist and behaviorist theories regarding language acquisition?

The role of innate structures versus experiential learning

According to the PowerPoint, what initiates the specialization of brain regions in language acquisition?

Environmental input

What is the main argument of the narrowing approach regarding language specialization?

It develops through a specialization of brain mechanisms based on input.

What primary focus did traditional language acquisition research emphasize?

Language production

Which approach emphasizes the role of social interaction in language acquisition?

Social/Interactional

What aspect of cognitive development does Piaget's theory emphasize as foundational for understanding complex sentence structures?

The nesting of objects or concepts

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary influence on language acquisition according to the nativist view?

Experiential learning

Which theory posits that language acquisition mechanisms are not unique but part of broader cognitive processes?

Domain-general

What is the significance of myelination in neural development?

It enhances the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission

Which structures are likely to develop first after birth?

Structures associated with basic physiological processes

Which structures are primarily associated with vital functions and develop early in the brainstem?

Basic survival functions

What does the term 'Carnegie stages' refer to in human development?

The development stages of the human embryo

What effect does an enriched environment have on the brain?

Increases dendritic connections

Why did William James choose the term "plastic" to describe the brain's ability to reorganize?

To denote its malleability and ability to change

Which part of the brain is responsible for coordinating complex motor tasks?

Cerebellum

Which brain region develops into the basal ganglia and cortex?

Telencephalon

Why are humans considered to have a 'prolonged developmental period' compared to other animals?

Due to their complex brain structure requiring more time to fully develop

What is the relationship between primitive reflexes and neural development?

They provide insights into early neural function and development

Which cells form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system?

Oligodendrocytes

What is a critical period in neural development?

A specific time during which certain skills or abilities are most easily acquired

What is the primary reason human infants are born with less developed CNS compared to other species?

Narrower hips due to bipedalism

When is the best time to establish optimal neural representations of the environment?

Infancy

Which term best describes humans at birth in terms of development and independence?

Altricial

What does the presence of the Babinski reflex beyond 2 years of age indicate?

Possible neurological issues

At what age does the human brain fully develop?

25 years

What role do glial cells play in the nervous system?

Providing support and protection for neurons

How does demyelination affect the nervous system?

Causes a breakdown in neural communication

At what approximate day does the embryonic brain start to form major divisions?

Day 30

Which brain division regulates vital functions like breathing and heart rate?

Brainstem

What does the 'Triangle of Language' consist of?

Perception, Production, and Grammar

What myth regarding brain usage is quite popular?

That humans only use 10% of their brains.

What does Brodmann's area 44 correspond to?

Broca's area

What is perceptual narrowing?

A focusing of sensory systems to discriminate fine distinctions in the environment

Which area is directly targeted by the medial geniculate body?

Auditory Cortex and Auditory-Related Areas

What does semantic priming in the brain refer to?

The increase in brain activation when processing related words

What is the basic unit of the Central Nervous System?

The Neuron

What demonstrates the hierarchical organization of sensory processing in the brain?

The systematic progression of processing from basic to complex information

How do we primarily hear sounds?

Through the cochlea translating sound vibrations into neural signals

What function do glial cells serve in the nervous system?

Provide structural support and protection for neurons

How does the motor homunculus illustrate brain function?

By mapping the amount of brain area dedicated to motor movements of different body parts

Which principle governs the organization of sensory systems in the CNS?

Bilateral symmetry and contralateral control

What is the role of the medial geniculate body in hearing?

It acts as a major relay station in the thalamus for auditory information.

What is the primary role of the basal ganglia?

Motor control and movement regulation and language detection

How does the brain primarily control language?

Through interactions among various brain regions including the basal ganglia

What illustrates the function of the amygdala in humans?

Enhancing the visual processing of emotional stimuli

How is information transformed in the auditory system?

It is modified repeatedly, increasing in complexity.

What is the significance of the amygdala in attention regulation?

It plays a crucial role in modulating attention, especially in response to emotional stimuli.

Where does information become conscious in the auditory pathway?

Auditory Cortex

What is a key feature of language that infants respond to from an early age?

The rhythm and prosody

What is the significance of the 'rhythmic class hypothesis' in language acquisition?

It proposes rhythm as a key early language discriminator

How is the 'High Amplitude Sucking Technique' used in language research?

To study response to different speech sounds

What is the primary focus of 'Infant Directed Speech' (IDS)?

To enhance acoustic signals

What concept was used historically to describe pre-verbal infants?

Pre-linguistic

What kind of auditory inputs can the fetus discriminate in utero?

Speech and music

When does the fetus begin processing auditory information?

During the last trimester

What does 'Motherese' typically exaggerate to aid language learning?

Prosodic features

What rhythmic characteristic helps infants differentiate languages?

Prosody

What rhythmic group do English, German, and Dutch belong to?

Stress-timed

How does 'Infant Directed Speech' function in language development?

Through exaggerated prosodic contours to facilitate early language interaction

How do newborns demonstrate knowledge of their mother's voice?

They prefer the mother’s muffled voice as heard in utero

What does the 'Head Turn Preference Procedure' assess?

Preference for native speech sounds

What aspect of language do fetuses particularly respond to while in utero?

Intonation and rhythm

Which technique is used to measure infants' language preferences outside the womb?

High Amplitude Sucking Technique

How does the amygdala influence attention in humans according to research?

By enhancing visual processing of emotional stimuli

At birth, how do infants show a preference for their native language?

Through increased sucking behavior

How do infants demonstrate their ability to differentiate between native and non-native languages?

Through differential sucking rates

What type of sounds can fetuses differentiate according to research?

Different musical styles

What does research show about infants' recognition of mother's voice?

They recognize and prefer their mother's voice at birth

What is a key feature of language that infants respond to from an early age?

The rhythm and prosody

What is the significance of the 'rhythmic class hypothesis' in language acquisition?

It proposes rhythm as a key early language discriminator

How is the 'High Amplitude Sucking Technique' used in language research?

To study response to different speech sounds

What is the primary focus of 'Infant Directed Speech' (IDS)?

To enhance acoustic signals

What concept was used historically to describe pre-verbal infants?

Pre-linguistic

What kind of auditory inputs can the fetus discriminate in utero?

Speech and music

When does the fetus begin processing auditory information?

During the last trimester

What does 'Motherese' typically exaggerate to aid language learning?

Prosodic features

What rhythmic characteristic helps infants differentiate languages?

Prosody

What rhythmic group do English, German, and Dutch belong to?

Stress-timed

How does 'Infant Directed Speech' function in language development?

Through exaggerated prosodic contours to facilitate early language interaction

How do newborns demonstrate knowledge of their mother's voice?

They prefer the mother’s muffled voice as heard in utero

What does the 'Head Turn Preference Procedure' assess?

Preference for native speech sounds

What aspect of language do fetuses particularly respond to while in utero?

Intonation and rhythm

Which technique is used to measure infants' language preferences outside the womb?

High Amplitude Sucking Technique

How does the amygdala influence attention in humans according to research?

By enhancing visual processing of emotional stimuli

At birth, how do infants show a preference for their native language?

Through increased sucking behavior

How do infants demonstrate their ability to differentiate between native and non-native languages?

Through differential sucking rates

What type of sounds can fetuses differentiate according to research?

Different musical styles

What does research show about infants' recognition of mother's voice?

They recognize and prefer their mother's voice at birth