Cognitive psychologyLesson 1 of 4 in the course Thinking and Intelligence

Language Structure, Development, and Influence on Thought

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Language is a structured system for communicating information. This lesson explains how language differs from communication more broadly and how its basic components work together to create meaning.

Language is a communication system that uses words and systematic rules to transmit information from one individual to another. It can be spoken, signed, or written. Language is one form of communication, but not every form of communication is language. Animals also communicate through posture, movement, odors, and vocalizations, often supporting social interaction among members of their species.

All flashcards

Language
A rule-governed communication system that may be spoken, signed, or written.
Phoneme
A basic sound unit that can distinguish one word from another.
Morpheme
The smallest unit of language that carries meaning.
Critical period hypothesis
The proposal that language acquisition is generally most proficient early in life.
Linguistic determinism
The strong proposal that language determines thought.

Quiz questions

  1. A child says “gooses” after learning that English often forms plurals with “-s.” What does this error illustrate?Answer: Applying a learned language rule to an exception.
  2. How did B. F. Skinner explain language learning?Answer: Language behaviors are strengthened through reinforcement.
  3. How does infants’ ability to discriminate speech sounds typically change during the first year?Answer: It becomes more specialized toward sounds used in their environment.
  4. What conclusion about language acquisition is justified by Genie’s case?Answer: Her experience is consistent with effects of early deprivation, but one case cannot prove a general rule.
  5. What does the strong form of linguistic determinism claim?Answer: Language determines the thoughts a person can have.

Based on Psychology 2e by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, Marilyn D. Lovett (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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