What is the definition of language?
A set of symbols used for communication
Unique to humans; facilitates thinking, problem solving, and decision making; supports creative and progressive social interaction.
Can animals speak?
Debate exists regarding whether animals have true language or just communication
Example: Koko the gorilla learned sign language.
What is Noam Chomsky’s theory of language development?
Children are genetically programmed to learn language through a Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
Example: Children worldwide go through similar stages of babbling, first words, grammar.
What does B.F. Skinner’s theory suggest about language development?
Language is learned entirely through reinforcement
Babies repeat words/sounds if rewarded.
What is the Interactionist Perspective on language development?
Both nature and nurture contribute to language learning
Genes provide readiness, social environment provides input.
What is a Critical Period in language development?
A strict window when language must be learned, or ability is permanently limited.
What is a Sensitive Period in language development?
A more flexible time when skills are best acquired but still possible later.
Who is Genie, and what does her case study illustrate?
A girl isolated and deprived of language until adolescence; learned words but never mastered grammar
Evidence that early language exposure is crucial.
Define problem solving.
Thoughts and actions directed toward achieving a desired goal.
What is an algorithm in problem solving?
A step-by-step process that guarantees a solution.
What is a heuristic?
A mental shortcut or rule of thumb that is faster but not guaranteed to work.
What is insight in problem solving?
A sudden ‘aha!’ moment when the solution clicks.
What is dialectical reasoning?
The process of weighing and comparing opposing facts to reach the best solution.
What is the Availability Heuristic?
Judging likelihood based on how easily examples come to mind.
What is the Framing Effect?
Reactions differ depending on how choices are presented.
What is Fairness Bias?
Valuing fairness over self-interest.
What is Hindsight Bias?
The ‘I knew it all along’ phenomenon.
What is Confirmation Bias?
The tendency to seek out information that confirms our beliefs.
What are Mental Sets?
Relying on strategies that worked before, even when they are no longer effective.
What is Cognitive Dissonance?
A state of tension when a person holds two inconsistent cognitions.
When is cognitive dissonance strongest?
When justifying a choice, behavior that conflicts with self-image, or effort put into something.
Define creativity.
The ability to generate ideas, solutions, or products that are both novel and useful.
What is Divergent Thinking?
Generating multiple different ideas or solutions, especially those that depart from the norm.
What is Convergent Thinking?
Narrowing down to find the single best solution to a problem.
