chapter 8 language and though

4 qualities of language

consists of symbols that convey a meaning

people use spoken sounds and written words to represent objects, actions, events and ideas

shared meanings

a limited number of symbols can be combined in an infinite variety of ways to generate an endless array of novel messages

rules govern the arrangement of words into phrases and sentences

a system of rules that specify how words can be arranged into sentences

consists mainly of content words

the theoretical representation of a sound & the smallest speech units in a language

english language consists of about _____ phonemes corresponding to the 26 letters of the alphabet

the smallest units of meaning in a language

vocalizations similar across language?

6 months?

1 year?

18-24 months?

process by which children map a word onto an underlying concept after only on exposure

end of second year?

early speech stage in which the child speaks like a telegram

end of third year?

toddlers can understand ___ words months before they can say ___ words

child incorrectly uses a word to describe a wider set of objects or actions that it is meant for

occurs when a child incorrectly uses a word to describe a narrower set of objects or actions that it is meant to

what did BF Skinner believe?

claims we are born with brain structures called LAD's

what are LAD's ?

skinner was a ?

who took a cognitive approach?

what did chomsky say?

refers to active efforts to discover what must be done to achieve a goal that is not readily attainable

sternberg pointed out that people often incorrectly assume that all the information is important which leads people astray

being fixed on a specific use of an object; inability to imagine new uses for familiar objects

a habitual strategy of pattern of problem solving

approach a problem with limits that do not exist

intermediate steps toward a solution

involves trying possible solutions and discarding those that are in error until one works

begin a problem from the end

shortcuts to simplify a proble; rules of thumb

estimating the probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind

involves evaluating alternatives and making choices among them

involves making choices under conditions of uncertainty

a term used in psychology to describe the common human tendency to rely too heavily on one trait or piece of info when making decisions

who came up with the idea of anchoring?

involves basing the estimated probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind

involves basing the estimated probability of an event on how similar it is to the typical prototype of that event

occurs when people estimate the odds of two uncertain events happening together are greater than the odds of either event happening alone

when peoples beliefs about whether certain outcomes will occur changes depending on how alternative outcomes are distributed

the tendency to hang onto beliefs in the presence of contradictory evidence

the way in which problems are posed or choices are structured

the belief that the odds of chance event get better if the event hasnt happened recently

people tend to accept the result of a small sample as a representative of the population when in reality the small sample is more vulnerable

tendency to overestimate the likelihood of dramatic events

the tendency to seek and accept supporting information and to discount information that does not support

use information or abilities in a new and original way

ability to overcome rigidity

rearranging the elements or a problem to arrive at an original solution

the apparent sudden realization of the solution to a problem

characteristics of creative people?