Chapter 8: Language and Thought

Chapter 8: Language and Thought

1. Language

   • Language Theories
     • Babytalk
       • Toddlers prefer "baby talk" in which babies are spoken to in a friendly high pitched manner.  
     • Behaviorist acquisition
       • Skinner, Language is learned. 
     • Nativist Acquisition
       • Chomsky, Language is innate 
     • Interactionist Acquisition
       • There is a developmental period for language 
   • Developmental Milestones
     • 1-5 months
       • Can understand some language, vocal outbursts. 
     • 6-12 months
       • Babbling resembles surrounding language, can understand more language. 
     • 10-13 months
       • First words, can understand much language. 
     • 18-24 months
       • Vocabulary spurt
     • Year 2
       • Two word sentences 
     • Year 3
       • Active sentence structure, grammar
     • Year 4
       • Five word sentences. 
   • Properties of Language
     • Phonology
       • Sound of language
       • Phonemes
         • Smallest speech unit
     • Semantics
       • Words and their meanings
       • Morphemes
         • Smallest unit of meaning
     • Grammar
       • Rules and structure
       • Syntax
         • Rules for arranging words
     • Pragmatics
       • How language is used

2. Problem Solving

   • Irrelevant info barrier
     • When additional, irrelevant info is added to problem. 
   • Functional Fixedeness barrier
     • When you can not overcome the practical intended use of an object. 
   • Mental Set Barrier
     • A framework for thinking about a problem. 
   • Unnecessary constraints barrier
     • Unnecessary constraints is another very common barrier that people face while attempting to problem-solve. This particular phenomenon occurs when the subject, trying to solve the problem subconsciously, places boundaries on the task at hand, which in turn forces him or her to strain to be more innovative in their thinking.
   • Heurism
     • Any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but sufficient for the immediate goals.
     • Availability
       • Basing the estimated probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind. 
     • Representative
       • Basing the estimated probability on a similar instance. 
   • Confirmation bias barrier
     •  Confirmation bias can be described as one's unconscious or unintentional corruption of the scientific method. Thus when one demonstrates confirmation bias, he or she is formally or informally collecting data, and then subsequently observing and experimenting with that data in such a way that favors a preconceived notion that may or may not have motivation.

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