Question 1

According to Noam Chomsky, the fact that children all over the world acquire language at the same time indicates that

Accepted Answer

Noam Chomsky's theory of language acquisition suggests that the ability to learn language is innate or prewired in the human brain. This theory is supported by the fact that children all over the world acquire language at roughly the same time despite differences in their cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Chomsky believes that there is a "language acquisition device" in the brain that allows children to learn the rules of their native language quickly and efficiently.

Question 2

According to Benjamin Whorf, if you did not have words for the past or the future, you would

Accepted Answer

Whorf's linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that language shapes thought. Without words for past or future, one might focus only on the present, as language influences how we perceive and conceptualize time.

Question 3

If one were to translate "white house" to Spanish from English, it would be "casa blanca," or "house white." This demonstrates a difference in ________ between the two languages.

Accepted Answer

The difference in word order between "white house" and "casa blanca" demonstrates a difference in syntax, which is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Question 4

You tell your roommate, "I misplaced my wallet." Your roommate exclaims, "Oh my goodness, you lost your wallet?" You respond, "No, I didn't lose my wallet, I misplaced it." This exchange best demonstrates the ________ aspect of language.

Accepted Answer

This exchange highlights the semantic aspect of language, which deals with the meanings of words and phrases. The distinction between "misplaced" and "lost" is a matter of semantics, as both words have different meanings.

Question 5

Dhiraj has an insightful mind and excels at solving new types of problems with unique solutions. Which of Sternberg's intelligences would best explain this?

Accepted Answer

Dhiraj's ability to solve new problems with unique solutions suggests that he has high levels of creative intelligence, which refers to the ability to generate novel ideas and approaches to solving problems.

Question 6

Critics of the work of Benjamin Whorf maintain that

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that people's perceptions and thoughts are not solely determined by language, suggesting that cognition can occur independently of linguistic influence.

Question 7

Infinite generativity refers to the ability to

Accepted Answer

Infinite generativity refers to the ability to produce an unlimited number of meaningful sentences. This refers to the idea that humans can use a finite set of rules and symbols to create an infinite number of unique and meaningful sentences, unlike other animal communication systems that are limited to a fixed set of signals and responses.

Question 8

The bicycle talked the boy into buying a candy bar. This sentence is

Accepted Answer

The sentence is syntactically correct because it follows the rules of sentence structure, but it is semantically incorrect because a bicycle cannot talk or persuade someone to buy a candy bar.

Question 9

Evidence of the role of language in cognitive activities includes the fact that

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that memory is stored in the form of words and language plays a crucial role in organizing and retrieving memories. While imagery and sounds can also play a role in memory, language and words are essential for higher cognitive activities such as problem-solving, decision-making, and reasoning. Therefore, it is most accurate to say that memory is stored in the form of words and language plays a critical role in cognitive activities.

Question 10

Sophia is in the fifth grade and lives in one of the most impoverished areas in the state. She has a history of academic failure although she is very sensitive to teacher expectations. Her teachers have noticed that she responds best when candy is offered as an incentive. Sophia's IQ is 65. She is most likely a victim of

Accepted Answer

Sophia's IQ falls below the average range, but she does not have any signs of physical or neurological abnormalities. Additionally, her academic failure is linked to poverty and she responds well to incentives that are likely to be lacking in her living environment. All of these factors point towards cultural-familial intellectual disability, which occurs due to environmental factors such as poverty, lack of nutrition, and inadequate educational opportunities.

Question 11

Which theory of intelligence is best suited to explain the abilities of individuals with savant syndrome, or individuals with extremely high levels of intelligence in one area and virtually little or none in other areas?

Accepted Answer

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences is best suited to explain the abilities of individuals with savant syndrome or individuals with extremely high levels of intelligence in one area and little or none in other areas. Gardner's theory suggests that there are multiple intelligences, including musical, visual-spatial, linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Individuals with savant syndrome often have exceptional abilities in one or two of these areas while functioning below average in others, which aligns with the theory of multiple intelligences.

Question 12

If the sound sequences "walk" and "ing" were combined to make "ingwalk," this would violate English

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the sound sequences "walk" and "ing"...

Question 13

Cognitive appraisal refers to the way an individual

Accepted Answer

Cognitive appraisal refers to the way an individual interprets life events, such as whether they are viewed as positive, negative, or neutral, and how the individual copes with the event. It involves the individual's perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about the event, and how they evaluate their ability to handle the situation. Choices A, C, and D refer to other cognitive processes, but not cognitive appraisal specifically.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a recommended strategy for how parents should talk to their babies?

Accepted Answer

Using only words that the infant will be able to understand may limit the infant's exposure to new vocabulary and hinder language development. It is recommended to use a rich and varied language style when talking to babies.

Question 15

The term universal linguist refers to the idea that

Accepted Answer

The term universal linguist refers to the fact that infants are capable of distinguishing all of the sounds that make up human speech, regardless of the language spoken around them. This ability gradually disappears as the child gets older and is exposed to their native language.

Question 16

Which of the following represents a practical skill?

Accepted Answer

Brushing your teeth is a practical skill as it is a specific task that requires learning and practicing a set of techniques to maintain oral hygiene. Understanding money, talking with a neighbor, and obeying the law are important skills, but they are not necessarily practical skills that involve a specific task or set of techniques.

Question 17

Which of Gardner's intelligences would be LEAST important for a car salesperson?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of Gardner's intelligences would be LEAST...

Question 18

Just over a week ago, Anna lost her job at a manufacturing plant. At first, she was very worried about not being able to pay her bills. Since thinking it through, she is less stressed because she realizes that this may be the perfect opportunity to find that challenging career she always wanted. Anna's consideration of the situation is best described as

Accepted Answer

Anna is engaging in cognitive reappraisal, which means she is reevaluating her perception of the situation and developing a more positive outlook. This is evidenced by her realization that losing her job may open up new opportunities for her.

Question 19

Greg was diagnosed with Down syndrome at age two. What can you predict about his intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals with Down syndrome often have heightened social skills, including advanced interpersonal sensitivity and intuition. It is important to note that intellectual ability can vary widely among individuals with Down syndrome, so it is not possible to predict with certainty Greg's specific abilities in areas such as math or reading. However, it is likely that he will face challenges in these areas due to the cognitive and developmental differences associated with Down syndrome.

Question 20

The word "ckprqpgezxeenfvk" violates English

Accepted Answer

The word violates English phonology as it contains clusters of consonants that are not typically found in the language.

Quiz 8: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language