Communication and Language Development - AP Psychology

1. What is a creole language?

   A stable, natural language developed from a mixture of languages. Emerges when pidgin becomes the primary language of a community.

2. Which communication disorder involves difficulty in understanding language?

   Wernicke's aphasia. Results from damage to the brain's language comprehension center.

3. What does bilingualism refer to?

   The ability to speak two languages fluently. Can provide cognitive benefits and enhanced mental flexibility.

4. What characterizes the one-word stage in language development?

   Use of single words to convey whole sentences. Child relies on context and gestures to communicate complete thoughts.

5. Define overgeneralization in language development.

   Applying rules of grammar too widely. Example: saying 'goed' instead of 'went' for past tense.

6. What is an expressive language skill?

   Ability to produce spoken or written language. Includes speaking fluency and writing composition abilities.

7. Identify a primary feature of motherese or child-directed speech.

   Simplified vocabulary and exaggerated intonation. Helps infants focus attention and learn language patterns more easily.

8. Which theory emphasizes reinforcement in language acquisition?

   Behaviorist theory. Correct language use is rewarded, incorrect use is discouraged.

9. Which theory emphasizes imitation in language learning?

   Behaviorist theory. Children learn language by copying what they hear from others.

10. Which communication disorder involves difficulty in producing speech?

    Broca's aphasia. Results from damage to the brain's speech production center.

11. Which brain hemisphere is typically dominant for language?

    The left hemisphere. Contains Broca's and Wernicke's areas for language processing.

12. What is the purpose of the critical period hypothesis in language?

    Suggests optimal periods for language learning. Explains why early exposure to language is crucial for normal development.

13. What is code-switching in bilingual communication?

    Alternating between two languages in conversation. Common among bilingual speakers who seamlessly blend languages.

14. What is overextension in language development?

    Using a word too broadly, beyond its intended meaning. Example: calling all four-legged animals 'doggie'.

15. What is a protolanguage?

    A hypothetical undocumented parent language. Reconstructed by comparing similarities across modern related languages.

16. What does the term 'language universals' refer to?

    Features or characteristics common to all languages. Suggests all humans share basic language structures and capabilities.

17. What is the function of Broca's area?

    Responsible for language production and speech. Damage here causes difficulty speaking but comprehension remains intact.

18. What is the linguistic determinism hypothesis?

    Language determines the way we think. Strong version of linguistic relativity; thought is impossible without language.

19. What is fast mapping in language development?

    Rapid learning of new words with minimal exposure. Enables vocabulary explosion during early childhood development.

20. Identify the main focus of semantics in language.

    The meaning of words and sentences. Studies how words relate to their referents and concepts.

21. Which stage of language development involves babbling?

    The pre-linguistic stage, typically around 4-6 months. Infants experiment with sounds, practicing for later speech production.

22. What is the purpose of a language immersion program?

    To teach a language through complete submersion. Creates natural learning environment similar to first language acquisition.

23. What is the role of the angular gyrus in language?

    Involved in reading and writing. Connects visual word forms with their sounds and meanings.

24. Identify the critical period for language acquisition.

    The first few years of life, typically before puberty. After this window, language learning becomes significantly more difficult.

25. Identify a key feature of pidgin languages.

    Simplified grammar and vocabulary for communication. Develops when groups need basic communication without shared language.

26. What is meant by linguistic relativity?

    Language shapes thought and perception. Core concept of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis about language and cognition.

27. Define phoneme.

    The smallest distinctive sound unit in a language. Different phonemes create different word meanings in each language.

28. What is a receptive language skill?

    Ability to understand spoken or written language. Includes listening comprehension and reading comprehension abilities.

29. What is underextension in language development?

    Using a word too narrowly, applying it to only one object. Example: only calling the family pet 'dog', not other dogs.

30. What is the primary focus of pragmatics in language?

    The use of language in social contexts. Includes understanding conversational rules, tone, and appropriate language use.

31. Identify the language development stage characterized by two-word sentences.

    The telegraphic speech stage. Children combine two meaningful words to express complex ideas.

32. Identify the main idea behind Chomsky's theory of language.

    Humans have an innate capacity for language acquisition. Argues against purely learned language acquisition through environmental exposure.

33. What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

    The idea that language influences perception and thought. Also known as linguistic relativity; language shapes cognitive processes.

34. What role does Wernicke's area play in communication?

    Involved in language comprehension. Damage here causes fluent but meaningless speech with poor understanding.

35. What is the difference between an accent and a dialect?

    Accent refers to pronunciation; dialect includes grammar/words. Dialect encompasses broader linguistic variations including vocabulary and grammar.

36. Define telegraphic speech.

    Early speech stage using short, simple sentences. Like telegrams, omits function words but retains essential meaning.

37. What is the name of Chomsky's theoretical construct for language acquisition?

    Language Acquisition Device (LAD). Theoretical brain mechanism that makes language learning possible.

38. What is a morpheme in language?

    The smallest unit of meaning in a language. Can be prefixes, suffixes, or root words that carry meaning.

39. What is the definition of language in psychology?

    A system for communicating with others using signals with grammar rules. Distinguishes language from simple communication by emphasizing structured rules.

40. What does syntax refer to in language?

    The rules for combining words into sentences. Grammar rules that determine proper sentence structure and word order.

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