AP Psychology: Topic 3.5 - Communication and Language Development

Phonemes

the smallest units of SOUND that are recognizable as human speech

Morphemes

the smallest units of MEANING within a language

Semantics

The order of words to form meaningful sentences

Grammar

The rules of logical communication in a language

Syntax

The set of rules by which we derive meaning from words

Receptive Speech

The ability to understand language; this skill begins to develop before sounds are made

Productive Speech

The ability to create sounds; children begin speaking their native language by 7-8 months old

Overgeneralization

The overapplication of grammar rules by children aged 3-6, who do not make exceptions (e.g., "I runned", "he hitted", "you buyed")

Cooing Stage

Stage 1; typically begins at 6-8 weeks; babies make single-vowel sounds, such as “ooh” and “aah”

Babbling Stage

Stage 2; typically begins at 4 months; culturally universal until ~8 months; babies make as many sounds as possible from different languages

Holophrase/One-Word Stage

Stage 3; typically begins at 12 months; Infants express one-syllable sounds to words; Syntax is always correct

Telegraphic Speech/Two-Word Stage

Stage 4; begins at 24 months; children identify two-word phrases such as nouns and verbs/verbs and objects; Syntax is always correct

Stage 5

36 months onward; Vocabulary greatly expands and full sentences emerge; language becomes complex and jokes can be understood; overgeneralization occurs

Stage 6

Age 0 to 7-10; critical period for 2nd language acquisition occurs, especially syntax

Stage 7

Age 10-14; Puberty occurs (2nd language acquisition more challenging); Pruning occurs at this time, where unused neural networks deteriorate

Chomsky’s Language Acquisition Device

A theorized, inborn readiness to learn language with exposure

Aphasia

Speech impairment; language disorder

Broca’s Aphasia (Non-Fluent)

Damage to Broca’s Area; affects the Left Frontal lobe

Wernicke’s Aphasia (Fluent)

Damage to Wernicke’s Area (Left Temporal Lobe)