In the 1970s, Genie's difficulty acquiring words, grammar, and pronunciation led researchers to conclude that:
A) Genie's linguistic deficits can be generalized to other abused children.
B) Genie had suffered brain damage in the birth process.
C) language depends on nurture rather than nature.
D) a critical period exists for language development.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Genie's difficulty acquiring language supported the hypothesis that there is a critical period for language development, during which the brain is most receptive to acquiring language. This critical period hypothesis suggests that there is a biologically determined time frame during which language acquisition must occur or it will be much more difficult or even impossible.

In the 1970s, Genie's Difficulty Acquiring Words, Grammar, and Pronunciation