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Language and Cognition

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14 views

Language and Cognition

Uploaded by

ayeshastudies888
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LANGUAGE IS THE

ARRANGEMENT OF SOUNDS TO
COMMUNICATE IDEAS…

1. Language is arbitrary-words don’t sound like the ideas


they are conveying
2. Language has an additive structure-
words+words=sentences,
sentences+sentences=paragraphs
3. Language has multiplicity of structure-can be analyzed in a
number of ways
4. Language is productive-endless meaningful combinations
of words
5. Language is dynamic-constantly changing and evolving
SUBCOMPONENTS OF
LANGUAGE

Phonemes: smallest units of speech sounds in a given


language that are still distinct in sound
Morphemes: smallest semantically meaningful parts of
language
Grammar: set of rules by which language is constructed
Syntax: set of rules used in the arrangement of morphemes
into meaningful sentences (word order)
Semantics: word meaning or word choice.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPEECH

Holophrases: a single term used by an infant to describe


multiple things
Overextension:not knowing enough words to express
something fully
Telegraphic speech: two or three word groups (infants start
combining words) “mommy food”
Overgeneralization: errors in rules of language are
overextended “I goed to store”
At age 10 a child’s language should be essentially the same
as an adults
ORGANIZATION OF
LANGUAGE

Noam Chomsky-Transformational Grammar


Differentiates between the surface structure of language (superficial
way words are arranged in a text or in speech)
Deep structure of language (underlying meaning of the words)
Innate language acquisition device-facilitates the acquisition
of language in children a critical period for the learning of
language
Skinner disagreed with Chomsky-he said language is the
product of learning and reinforcement
LANGUAGE & THOUGHT
ARE INTERACTIVE
PROCESSES

Language can influence thought &


Cognition can influence language
Benjamin Lee Whorf & Edward Sapir
proposed
Theory of linguistic relativity
Speakers of different languages develop different
cognitive systems as a result of their differences in
language
CONCEPTS!

 In order to deal with our surroundings we devise concepts to


deal with the overload.
 Concept-grouping or classifying world around us
 Typicality-degree an object fits the average
 Prototype-typical picture we envision
 Concepts can be big or small/more or less inclusive
 Superordinate-broad and encompasses a large group of items (food)
 Basic-smaller more specific (bread)
 Subordinate-even smaller and more specific (rye bread)
 Without concepts we would be overwhelmed by our
surroundings
COGNITION (THINKING!) &
PROBLEM SOLVING

Thinking is not easily defined


Reasoning-drawing conclusions from evidence
Deductive-logical conclusions from general statements
Inductive-general inferences from specific observations

Problem solving-removing one or more impediments to find a


solution to a given situation. (not just math)
Many correct answers are possible-divergent thinking
(brainstorming)
Only one answer to solve problem-convergent thinking
PROBLEM SOLVING

 Solving structured problems-Heuristics-intuitive rules of


thumb that may or may not be useful in a given situation
 Heuristics can lead to wrong conclusions
Availability Heuristic-rule of thumb is judged by what events come
readily to mind
Representative Heuristic-judge objects and events in terms of how
closely they match the prototype of the object or event
Can lead to racism, sexism, ageism
Opposite of Heuristic is Algorithms-systematic mechanical approaches
that guarantee an eventual answer to a problem
Insight-sudden understanding of a problem or a potential strategy
(Kohler-Chimps)
Mental Set-fixed frame of mind that we use when approaching problems
Functional Fixedness-tendency to assumed that a given item is only useful for the task for
which it was designed
OBSTACLES TO PROBLEM
SOLVING

Confirmation Bias-the search for information that supports a


particular view-distorts objectivity
Hindsight Bias-tendency after the fact to think you knew
what the outcome would be
Belief Perseverance-only sees evidence that supports a
particular position, despite contrary evidence
Framing-the way a question is phrased can alter the objective
outcome of problem solving or decision making
Creativity-can be defined as the process of producing
something novel yet worthwhile.

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