Cognition Refers to the way in which information is processed and manipulated in remembering, thinking, and knowing. Includes: Memory, Thinking, and Language Mental processes Language A form of communication that is based on a system of symbols. Spoken, written, or signed Includes body language/gestures How we communicate our culture Language is: A) Symbolic- represents B) Semantic- meaningful C) Generative- infinite sayings D) Structured- rules English The United States does NOT have an official language. The de facto national language is English. English is the third most natively spoken language in the world. Basic Properties of Language Phonology A language’s sound system. Made up of phonemes. Phonemes The smallest units of sound in a language. English has about 44 phonemes Basic Properties of Language Morphology A language’s rules for word formation. Made up of morphemes Morphemes The smallest unit of meaningful sound. Can be words like a or the. Can also be parts of words like prefixes or suffixes. Basic Properties of Language Syntax Semantics A language’s rules for combining words to form acceptable phrases and sentences. Rules of the order of words in a language. The meaning of words and sentences in a particular language. Rules by which we derive meaning in a language. Grammar Basic Properties of Language Pragmatics The useful character of language and the ability to language to communicate even more meaning that what is said. Language & Cognition Language and thinking are intricately intertwined. We use language to express our ideas to others. We think in words and in images. Language & Cognition Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis Benjamin Whorf (1956) suggested that language determines the way we think Language influences thought BUT Research shows that thought also influences language Theories of Language Acquisition Nature vs. Nurture Behaviorist (Nurture) Nativist (Nature) B.F. Skinner Learn specific verbal responses through imitation Learn language through reinforcement and punishment strictly the environment Noam Chomsky Innate capacity to learn the rules of language Language Acquisition Device (LAD) : biologically predisposed to engage in language Interactionist (Nature and Nurture) Lev Vygotsky Learn language by interacting with more advanced speakers. Cognitive/maturation, social communication, and emergentist theories Interactionist Theory Language Development Language Development Language Stages Babbling Stage Holophrastic Stage (one-word stage) Overextension: using the same word to describe a lot of similar objects. Underextension: using a broad word to describe a specific object. Two-word Stage Telegraphic Speech Stage Child speaks like a telegram Overgeneralize/Overregulate: when children begin to speak in longer sentences, they overuse the rules of language. Children start to understand jokes (humor) Acquire Syntax Bilingualism The acquisition of two different languages. If you learn English & American Sign Language, you are considered bilingual! Does bilingualism inhibit language development? Some studies found that bilingual children have smaller vocabularies, but most argue that monolingual and bilingual children are largely similar. Some studies have found that bilingual children score higher on some cognitive abilities tests. Other have found that they score lower on some cognitive test. Language & Age Learning new languages gets harder with age. PLASTICITY Language & Animals Dolphins, sea lions, parrots, chimpanzees Vocals apparatus issue American Sign Language Allen and Beatrice Gardener (1969) Chimpanzee – Washoe 160 word vocabulary Sue Savage- Rumbaugh Bonobo – Kanzi Symbols on a keyboard Receptive language – 72 % of 660 requests