Chapter 9: Language, Thought, and Intelligence

Language and Communication

• Definition of Language:

  • System for communicating via signals.

  • Combined according to grammar.

  • Conveys meaning.

• Grammar:

  • Set of rules for meaningful message construction.

• Complexity of Human Language:

  • More complex than other species.

  • Involves representation of intangible concepts.

  • Differentiates thinking and conceptualization processes.

Structure of Human Language

• Approximately 4,000 languages, each with:

  • Phonemes: Basic distinct units of sound.

  • Phonological Rules: Rules governing sound structure.

  • Morphemes: Smallest units of meaning.

  • Morphological Rules: Govern structure of words.

  • Syntactical Rules: Govern sentence structure.

Language Development

• Characteristics:

  • Fast acquisition rate in children.

  • Fewer errors in spoken language.

  • Passive mastery develops faster than active mastery.

Distinguishing Speech Sounds

• Infants can distinguish all human phonemes until about 6 months of age.

• Research Method: Experiment with pacifier sucking to study comprehension vs production.

• Babbling Sequence: Universal among infants.

Language Milestones

• Development Stages:

  • 0–4 months: Recognize speech sounds.

  • 4–6 months: Babbles consonants.

  • 6–10 months: Understands simple words.

  • 10–12 months: Uses single words.

  • 12–18 months: Vocabulary grows to 30–50 words.

  • 18–24 months: Two-word phrases, vocabulary 50–200 words.

  • 24–36 months: Vocabulary about 1,000 words.

  • 36–60 months: Grows to 10,000 words, full sentences, mastery of grammar.

Theories of Language Development

• Behaviorist Theory:

  • Language learned through conditioning, imitation.

  • Limited teaching time observed by parents.

• Nativist Theory:

  • Language as an innate biological capacity (Chomsky).

  • Universal grammar facilitates learning.

• Interactionist Theory:

  • Emphasizes social interaction and innate abilities.

Brain and Language

• Broca's Area: Language production (left frontal cortex).

• Wernicke's Area: Language comprehension (left temporal cortex).

• Right Hemisphere's Role:

  • Contributes to verbal meaning processing.

Intelligence

• Definition: Ability to solve novel problems and learn from experience.

• Four key questions:

  1. How can it be measured?

  2. What exactly is it?

  3. Where does it come from?

  4. Why do some people exhibit higher intelligence?

Measuring Intelligence

• Historical use of intelligence tests.

• Early tests used discriminatorily, such as at Ellis Island.

• Contemporary measures include Stanford-Binet and Wechsler scales; linked to academic performance.

Theories of Intelligence

• Spearman's Two-Factor Theory: Identified general 'g' factor and specific 's' factors.

• Thurstone's Primary Mental Abilities: Suggested independent factors.

Genetic and Environmental Influences

• Intelligence influenced by both genetic (nature) and environmental (nurture) factors.

• The Flynn Effect: Increase in average IQ scores over time.

Challenges in Understanding Intelligence

• Cultural biases in testing.

• Differences in intelligence labels by culture.

Improving Intelligence

• Strategies include educational interventions, nutritional supplementation, and cognitive enhancers.

• Findings linking educational attainment to long-term intelligence increases.

Conclusion

• Intelligence is a complex interplay of innate capacities, learned experiences, and cultural contexts. Emphasizing holistic understanding fosters better insights into individual differences and communal educational strategies.