Transcript Memory

Language and
Thought
Chapter 8
Language
Symbols that convey
meaning
Smallest unit
1. Phoneme= smallest
sound
2. Morpheme= meaning
Structure of
language
1. Semantics=
understanding
2. Syntax= grammar
Milestones
1. Table 8.2
2. Reflexive communication
= vocalization
3. Babbling= in response to
others, similar to words
Language
development
1. Fast mapping= get in 1
exposure
2. Overextension= use
word for broad
category
3. Underextension
Telegraphic speech
•
•
•
•
2 or 3 words
makes sense
no grammar
“mommy food”
Motherese
• Way we speak to
babies
• Slow, enunciate
Bilingualism
• Critical period
• Start early
• Acculturation= degree
integrated into new
culture
Theories of
language acquisition
1. Behaviorists
2. Nativists
3. Interactionists
Behaviorists
1. Skinner
2. Learning processes
• Rewards
• Environment
Nativists
1. Chomsky
2. innate
3. Language acquisition
device (LAD)
Interactionist
Biology and
experience both an
influence
Problem solving
Active efforts to
achieve a goal that is
not readily attainable
Insight
1. Sudden discovery
of solution
2. “Aha” moment
Functional fixedness
Tendency to perceive
an item only in terms
of its most common
use
Mental set
• Schema
• Persist in using the
same problem solving
techniques
Problem solving
1. Algorithm= step by step
2. Heuristic= shortcut or
“rule of thumb”
Heuristics
1. Availability heuristic=
easy to remember
example
2. Representative heuristic=
how similar to model
Availability Heuristics
• Are more people afraid to fly
or to drive?
• Which is really more
dangerous?
• Which is going to make the
evening news?
Representative Heuristic
Who is more likely to be a
librarian?
Understanding pitfalls in
reasoning about decisions
1. Confirmation bias
2. Belief perseverance
3. Overconfidence
4. Framing
Critical thinking
application
Shaping thought with
language: “Only a naïve
moron would believe
that”