Benjamin Whorf's proposition that language molds our cognition and perception
A)is generally accepted by psychologists and linguists today.
B)has fallen into disfavor among psychologists and linguists.
C)has received some support from recent research on language and perception.
D)has recently been disproved by research.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While Whorf's original formulation of linguistic relativity has been largely discredited, recent research in cognitive science has provided support for the idea that language can influence perception and cognition in a variety of domains. Studies have shown, for instance, that the availability of certain linguistic distinctions can affect how people think about concepts like time, space, and number. However, it is important to note that these effects are typically subtle and context-dependent, and do not suggest that language determines cognition in any absolute or deterministic sense.

Benjamin Whorf's Proposition That Language Molds Our Cognition and Perception