As infants get older, they focus their attention on stimuli that are relevant to them, rather than attending to all stimuli out there.This is advantageous in learning one's first language, though it makes it more difficult to acquire a native-sounding accent in a second language later on.This idea is most associated with which phenomenon?
A)the phonemic restoration effect
B)Hindi-English lexical equivalency
C)perceptual narrowing
D)the motor theory of speech perception

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Perceptual narrowing refers to the process by which infants' perceptual abilities become more specialized towards the stimuli that are most relevant to them. This can make it more difficult for older children and adults to acquire a native-like accent in a second language, as they are less able to process the nuances of sounds that are not present in their native language.

As Infants Get Older, They Focus Their Attention on Stimuli