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Communication and Language Development Chapter Notes | AP Psychology - Grade 11 PDF Download

Introduction

Language development is a universal process that unfolds through predictable stages across cultures. Children progress from cooing and babbling to one-word utterances and telegraphic speech, mastering a shared system of arbitrary symbols governed by grammar and syntax. Theories from Skinner, Chomsky, and Vygotsky explain how language is acquired, highlighting the roles of imitation, innate capacities, and social interaction. Common errors like overregularization reveal children’s active role in learning linguistic rules. This chapter explores the components, stages, and patterns of language development.

Language Acquisition and Development Theories

  • Skinner’s Behaviorist Theory:
    • Language develops through imitation, reinforcement, and shaping.
    • Children learn by mimicking speech and receiving feedback.
  • Chomsky’s Nativist Theory:
    • Humans have an innate biological capacity for language.
    • Universal grammar principles guide language acquisition.
  • Vygotsky’s Theory:
    • Emphasizes social interaction and cultural context.
    • Language and cognitive development are shaped by social relationships.
  • Critical Period:
    • Early childhood to puberty is optimal for language learning.
    • Language acquisition becomes more challenging after this period.

Components of Language and Communication

Shared system of arbitrary symbols

  • Language relies on a collective system of arbitrary symbols that carry agreed-upon meanings within a culture. 
  • These symbols form the foundation for all forms of communication, enabling the creation of infinite word combinations to convey novel ideas through structured rules.

Phonemes: Fundamental Units of Sound

Phonemes are the smallest sound units that differentiate meaning in a language, varying across languages and posing challenges for learners.

  • Example: /b/ vs. /p/ in "bat" and "pat."
  • "Cat" comprises three phonemes: /k/, /æ/, /t/.
  • English has ~44 phonemes, compared to 13 in Hawaiian.

Morphemes: Smallest Meaningful Units

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful components, either standalone words or parts that modify meaning.

  • Free morphemes: Independent words like "dog," "run," "the."
  • Bound morphemes: Attach to others, e.g., prefixes ("un-" in "unhappy"), suffixes ("-ed" in "walked"), inflectional endings ("-er" in "faster").

Semantics: Meanings of Words and Phrases

Semantics focuses on how meaning is formed in language, covering:

  • Literal word definitions.
  • Multiple meanings (e.g., "bank" as a riverbank or financial institution).
  • How word combinations create sentence meanings.
  • Context’s role in interpretation.
Note: Pragmatics (social context, speaker intention) is not covered on the AP Psych exam.
Question for Chapter Notes: Communication and Language Development
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What are the smallest sound units that differentiate meaning in a language called?
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Language Development

Universal Patterns

Language development follows a strikingly consistent sequence across cultures, with children advancing through predictable stages as they build linguistic abilities.

Pre-Verbal Communication:

  • Pointing (9-12 months) to indicate objects or needs.
  • Waving and reaching to express intentions.
  • Head shaking/nodding for yes/no responses.
  • These gestures lay the groundwork for symbolic communication.

Vocal Language Stages:

  • Cooing (2-4 months): Vowel-like sounds.
  • Babbling (6-10 months): Repetitive consonant-vowel patterns (e.g., "ba-ba-ba").
  • One-word stage (12-18 months): Single words conveying full thoughts.
  • Telegraphic speech (18-24 months): Two-word phrases omitting function words.

Common Language Learning Patterns

As children learn language, they exhibit predictable patterns and errors that reflect their growing grasp of linguistic rules.

Overgeneralization Errors:

  • Applying regular rules to irregular forms.
  • Examples: “I goed” (instead of “went”), “foots” (instead of “feet”), “more better” (instead of “better”).

Other Developmental Patterns

  • Fast mapping: Rapidly learning new words with minimal exposure.
  • Overextension: Applying a word too broadly (e.g., calling all four-legged animals "doggy").
  • Underextension: Using a word too narrowly (e.g., "car" only for the family car).
  • Holophrastic speech: Single words expressing complex ideas.

Question for Chapter Notes: Communication and Language Development
Try yourself:
What is the first vocal milestone in language development?
View Solution

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FAQs on Communication and Language Development Chapter Notes - AP Psychology - Grade 11

1. What are the main components of language and communication?
Ans. The main components of language and communication include phonetics (sounds), phonology (sound patterns), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), semantics (meaning), and pragmatics (contextual use of language). These elements work together to enable effective communication.
2. What are universal patterns in language acquisition?
Ans. Universal patterns in language acquisition refer to the stages and milestones that children typically go through as they learn to speak and understand language. These stages include cooing, babbling, one-word speech, two-word combinations, and more complex sentences. These patterns are observed across different cultures and languages, indicating that language acquisition follows a similar trajectory worldwide.
3. What are some common language learning patterns observed in children?
Ans. Common language learning patterns in children include the use of telegraphic speech (using only essential words), overgeneralization (applying rules too broadly, such as saying "goed" instead of "went"), and gradual expansion of vocabulary. Children often learn language through imitation, interaction, and reinforcement from caregivers.
4. How does environmental interaction influence language development?
Ans. Environmental interaction plays a crucial role in language development. Children learn language through exposure to spoken language in their environment, including conversations with caregivers, exposure to stories, and social interactions. The quality and quantity of language input significantly impact vocabulary acquisition and overall language skills.
5. At what age do children typically start to speak their first words?
Ans. Children typically start to speak their first words around the age of 12 months. However, this can vary, with some children beginning to say recognizable words as early as 10 months and others taking longer. The timing of this milestone can be influenced by factors such as individual development, exposure to language, and social interactions.
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