Question 1

Which developmental psychologist theorized that concepts preceded and aided the development of language?
A)Vygotsky
B)Piaget
C)Sapir
D)Whorf

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of cognitive development posits that a child's ability to think and reason develops before their ability to use language to express those thoughts. He believed that children develop concepts first and then develop language to express those concepts, rather than the other way around. This theory is known as the theory of cognitive precedes linguistic development.

Question 2

Consistent with the linguistic relativity hypothesis,which of the following would most likely be true?
A)People from New England and England think very differently.
B)People from New Mexico and New England think very differently.
C)People from China and New England think very differently.
D)People from China and New England think very similarly.

Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity hypothesis, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that language shapes the way we perceive and think about the world. Therefore, people from different cultures and languages would perceive things differently. Option C suggests people from China and New England, which have very different languages and cultural backgrounds, would likely think very differently. The other options do not necessarily involve people with different languages and cultures.

Question 3

Researchers have found that despite the number of color names in a language,the basic abilities to perceive color are unchanged.This finding would be troublesome for the theory of ______________.
A)Piccard and Worf
B)Sapir and Whorf
C)Skinner and Watson
D)Tolman and Thorndike

Accepted Answer

The question is referring to the theory of linguistic relativity, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that the structure of a language influences the way its speakers perceive the world. If the number of color names in a language affected the actual ability to perceive color, it would support the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. However, the finding that basic color perception is unchanged across languages regardless of the number of color names is problematic for this theory.

Question 4

Which of the following statements,BEST describes the general relationship between thinking and language?
A)Language is a tool that may be used in thinking,but it isn't the sole basis of thought.
B)Language is the sole basis of thought.
C)When we think,we always make use of language.
D)Language usually is not required in thought processes.

Accepted Answer

While language can be a helpful tool in thinking, it is not the only way to think. People can think visually, spatially, and conceptually without relying on language. Additionally, some thoughts and emotions may not have accurate linguistic expressions, so language cannot fully capture or define them. Therefore, language is not the sole basis of thought.

Question 5

In order to conclusively show that animals do use language,one would have to demonstrate that _____________.
A)the language had an auditory,or sound,component
B)the language had a genetic or instinctual base
C)the language used arbitrary symbols
D)the animals have the same vocal abilities as people

Accepted Answer

The use of arbitrary symbols is a key characteristic of language, as opposed to just communication. If animals can use symbols in a way that shows intentional and structured communication, then it can be argued that they are using language. The presence of an auditory component or genetic basis does not necessarily indicate language use, and the vocal abilities of animals may differ from those of humans but still allow for language use.

Question 6

When adults who are speaking to infants change the pitch and rhythm in their speech,they are altering their ____________.
A)syntax
B)grammar
C)morphemes
D)intonation

Accepted Answer

Intonation refers to the pitch and rhythm of speech, which is what adults are altering when they speak to infants in a higher pitch and sing-song tone. Syntax and grammar are related to the structure and organization of language, while morphemes refer to the smallest units of meaning within words.

Question 7

Dolphins,according to TV and movies,are very intelligent and have strong language abilities.They might even be able to talk! However,which statement is true from the research?
A)Dolphins have been shown to be able to master syntax.
B)Dolphins have the language abilities of a 3-year-old child.
C)Dolphin communication with parrots has been firmly established.
D)none of these

Accepted Answer

Research has not conclusively shown that dolphins can master syntax, have the language abilities of a 3-year-old child, or communicate with parrots.

Question 8

The rhythm and emphasis on each word is called ____________.
A)intonation
B)syntax
C)morphemes
D)phonemes

Accepted Answer

The rhythm and emphasis on each word is referred to as intonation. Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language. Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language.

Question 9

The communication between honeybees would not be classified as language because ____________.
A)bees are not animals
B)bee communication seems to be instinctual
C)bees do not use a spoken or auditory communication system
D)none of these

Accepted Answer

The answer of The communication between honeybees would not be...

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT an animal that has been taught to produce behavior that some think is language like?
A)chimpanzee
B)parrot
C)armadillos
D)dolphin

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees, parrots, and dolphins have all been taught to produce behavior that some scientists consider to be language-like. However, there is no evidence that armadillos possess this ability.

Question 11

The practical aspects of communicating with others,or the social "niceties" of language,are referred to as __________.
A)syntax
B)grammar
C)morphemes
D)pragmatics

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the practical aspects of communication, such as social information and context, as well as the "niceties" of language, such as tone and sarcasm. Syntax refers to the structure of sentences, grammar refers to the rules of language, and morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in language.

Question 12

What do we call the hypothesis that language influences what we think?
A)the dynamic hypothesis
B)the language reaction hypothesis
C)the linguistic relativity hypothesis
D)the cognitive linguistic hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis that language influences what we think is called the linguistic relativity hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that the structure and vocabulary of a language affect how its speakers perceive and think about the world.

Question 13

Parrots seem to talk.They utter words that sound like human language.Thus,can this behavior be thought to be speech? Which statement about parrots is supported by the research?
A)Parrots have been shown to be able to master syntax.
B)Parrots have the language abilities of a 3-year-old child.
C)Parrot communication with dolphins has been firmly established.
D)none of these

Accepted Answer

Research has not conclusively shown that parrots can master syntax, have the language abilities of a 3-year-old child, or communicate with dolphins.

Question 14

Researchers have found that ______ influenced by culture.
A)neither language nor thought is
B)language,but not thought,is
C)thought,but not language,is
D)both language and thought are

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that both language and thought are influenced by culture. Language shapes the way we think and perceive the world around us, and our cultural experiences and values can influence the way we use language. Additionally, our cultural background can shape our thought processes, including our beliefs, values, and problem-solving strategies.

Question 15

At the current time,which statement is true about our knowledge of whether animals can use humanlike language?
A)It has been clearly shown that animals cannot use humanlike language.
B)All animal communication is instinctual and,thus,is not language.
C)Only primates,like monkeys and chimps,show any sign of language-like behavior.
D)It is still unclear if animals can show humanlike language at any level of development.

Accepted Answer

While there have been some studies that suggest animals may be able to use language in some capacity, the evidence is not conclusive and more research needs to be conducted. Therefore, it is still unclear whether animals can show humanlike language at any level of development.

Question 16

The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that ______.
A)one's language determines the pattern of one's thinking and view of the world
B)one's thinking and view of the world determines the structure of one's language
C)we decide which objects belong to a concept according to what is most probable or sensible,given the facts at hand
D)perception of surface structure precedes deep structure in understanding a sentence

Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that one's language determines the pattern of one's thinking and view of the world.

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the animals that has been taught to use language with some success?
A)goat
B)quail
C)dog
D)none of these

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is one of...

Question 18

Pragmatics are defined as _____________.
A)the practical aspects of communicating with others,or the social "niceties" of language
B)the system of rules that governs how we combine words to form grammatical sentences
C)the language rules that determine how sounds and words can be combined and used to communicate meaning within a language
D)the language rules used to solve problems between people

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refer to the practical aspects of using language in social situations, such as understanding the social norms and implications of language use and navigating the power dynamics of communication. Option B refers to syntax, option C refers to morphology and semantics, and option D is not a valid definition of pragmatics.

Question 19

A famous lecturer argues that because the Hopi Indians have only two nouns for things that fly,one for birds and another for nonbirds,the Hopi MUST interpret all flying things in terms of these two nouns.This argument is based on ______.
A)the idealized prototype construct
B)bottom-up processing
C)deep structure elaboration
D)the linguistic relativity hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The argument is based on the linguistic relativity hypothesis, which suggests that language shapes our thought processes and cognitive abilities. The lecturer is assuming that the Hopi's limited vocabulary for flying things influences how they perceive and classify them.

Question 20

Let's say we could teach a dolphin to understand the difference between the sentences "The parrot kissed the dolphin" and "The dolphin kissed the parrot." If this were demonstrated,it might mean the dolphin had an understanding of ____________.
A)phonemes
B)morphemes
C)syntax
D)none of these

Accepted Answer

Syntax refers to the rules governing the structure of sentences, including word order and the relationships between words in a sentence. Understanding the difference between "The parrot kissed the dolphin" and "The dolphin kissed the parrot" requires an understanding of syntax, specifically the role of subject and object in a sentence. Phonemes and morphemes refer to the sounds and units of meaning in language, respectively, and are not relevant in this scenario.

Quiz 7: Cognition: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language

Which developmental psychologist theorized that concepts preceded and aided the development of language?

Consistent with the linguistic relativity hypothesis,which of the following would most likely be true?

Researchers have found that despite the number of color names in a language,the basic abilities to perceive color are unchanged.This finding would be troublesome for the theory of ______________.

Which of the following statements,BEST describes the general relationship between thinking and language?

In order to conclusively show that animals do use language,one would have to demonstrate that _____________.

When adults who are speaking to infants change the pitch and rhythm in their speech,they are altering their ____________.

Dolphins,according to TV and movies,are very intelligent and have strong language abilities.They might even be able to talk! However,which statement is true from the research?

The rhythm and emphasis on each word is called ____________.

The communication between honeybees would not be classified as language because ____________.

Which of the following is NOT an animal that has been taught to produce behavior that some think is language like?

The practical aspects of communicating with others,or the social "niceties" of language,are referred to as __________.

What do we call the hypothesis that language influences what we think?

Parrots seem to talk.They utter words that sound like human language.Thus,can this behavior be thought to be speech? Which statement about parrots is supported by the research?

Researchers have found that ______ influenced by culture.

At the current time,which statement is true about our knowledge of whether animals can use humanlike language?

The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that ______.

Which of the following is one of the animals that has been taught to use language with some success?

Pragmatics are defined as _____________.

A famous lecturer argues that because the Hopi Indians have only two nouns for things that fly,one for birds and another for nonbirds,the Hopi MUST interpret all flying things in terms of these two nouns.This argument is based on ______.

Let's say we could teach a dolphin to understand the difference between the sentences "The parrot kissed the dolphin" and "The dolphin kissed the parrot." If this were demonstrated,it might mean the dolphin had an understanding of ____________.