Life-Span Human Development - Language, Education, & Work

Flashcards on Language Development, Education, and Work

Phonemes

Basic and distinct units of sound that can be detected (e.g., p, b, t, 5 vowels). Languages specify how these can be combined.

Morphemes

The basic (smallest) units of meaning that exist in a word (e.g., hotdog).

Syntax

Systematic rules for forming phrases and sentences (e.g., SVO, SVA).

Semantics

The meanings of sentences, sometimes going beyond literal meaning (e.g., 'The midterm is a piece of cake.').

Pragmatics

Rules for specifying how language is used appropriately in different contexts.

Broca's area

Brain area associated with speech production.

Wernicke's area

Brain area associated with language comprehension.

Left hemisphere

Shows activity when listening.

Right hemisphere

Shows activity when processing melody or rhythm.

Angular gyrus

Reading comprehension

Universal grammar

System of common rules and properties for learning any language.

Language acquisition device (LAD)

Areas of the brain that sift through language, apply universal rules, and tailor the system to the specifics of the language spoken in a child’s environment.

Child-directed speech (Parentese)

High-pitched voice, exaggerated pitch, slower speech, guessing intent of infant; increases the child’s attention to speech

Cooing

Repeating vowel-like sounds; typically emerges around 6-8 weeks of age.

Babbling

Repeating consonant-vowel combinations such as 'baba'; typically emerges around 4-6 months.

Word segmentation

Ability to detect/separate target words in a sentence; develops by 7.5 months.

Holophrases

Single word that often conveys an entire sentence’s worth of meaning; used between 10-18 months.

Telegraphic speech

Early combinations of two, three, or more words, typically used between 18–24 months.

Functional grammar

Emphasizes the semantic relationships among words, the meanings being expressed, and the functions served by sentences.

Fast mapping

Children’s ability to quickly learn the meaning of a new word after just one or a few exposures.

Overextension

Child uses the word doggie for all four-legged animals

Underextension

A child uses the word doggie only for basset hounds like the family pet.

Overregularization

Overapplying the rules to cases in which the proper form is irregular (e.g., foot -> foots).

Transformational grammar

Rules of syntax for transforming basic underlying thoughts into a variety of sentence forms.

Mastery motivation

Striving to understand and exert control over objects or the world; appears to be inborn and universal.

Fixed mindset

Believe abilities and talent are fixed or static; little reason to put forth great effort on a task.

Growth mindset

Believe abilities and talent are malleable; motivated to put forth effort.

Emergent literacy

Developmental precursors of reading skills in young children.

Alphabetic principle

Connection between sounds in spoken language and printed words in a systematic way.