Language (thinking, language & intelligence)

Question 1

What happens at the 1st stage?

Answer 1

crying

Question 2

What happens at 2-3 months?

Answer 2

cooing –> vowel sounds

Question 3

What happens at 6 months?

Answer 3

babbling –> phonemes

Question 4

What happens at 8 months?

Answer 4

sound set from native language

Question 5

What happens at 1 yr old and what can this language development cause (2 things)?

Answer 5

whole words : “mama” =
- overextension: apply word to too-broad class of objects/actions
- underextension: apply words to too-small class of objects

Question 6

What happens at 18-20 months old?

Answer 6

2-word phrases : give ball

Question 7

What happens at 2 yrs old?

Answer 7

short 3+ word sentences, telegraphic speech

Question 8

what are the 2 factors of grammar development?

Answer 8

• overregulation errors : “goed”, “doed”
• child has learned new grammatical rule, over time learns where it applies

Question 9

What are the 2 theories of Language Development?

Answer 9

• Learning theory
• Nativist position (Chomsky)

Question 10

What are the Learning theory factors? (2)

Answer 10

• acquire through reinforcement –> parents reward correct speech, criticize incorrect speech = shaping
• also imitation (modeling; Brodura’s view)

Question 11

What are the factors of the Nativist position? (4)

Answer 11

• born with “hard-wire language acquisition device” (LAD) in the brain, but not found yet
• universal grammar –> set of innate principles common to all human languages
• evidence –> errors kids make (i. e. never say “want my” or “I cookie”
• newer theory: interactionist

Question 12

Do animals communicate? If yes, what are some examples?

Answer 12

• YES!
• ex. : bees “dance”, prairie dogs call, caribbean reef squid uses a variety of color/texture to their skin associated to inmates

Question 13

Can animals communicate with in OUR language? If so, what animals? What does it suggest?

Answer 13

• YES!
• Chimpanzee –> Washoe was taught American Sign Language in 1967
• critics –? operant conditioning only
• but: chimps spontaneously using ASL among themselves
• Bonobos –> Kanzi (1980’s)
• learned lexigrams through watching mother modelling
• suggests that language isn’t unique to humans