Chapter 8 Quiz

1. Chapter 8 Quiz Language and Thought

2. Don’t forget to write your answers on a separate piece of paper to grade when you’re done! 1. Phonemes are: a) The rules of grammar that dictate letter combinations in a language b) The smallest unit of sound in a language c) The smallest unit of meaning in a language d) Semantically the same as morphemes

3. 2. Because it has all the features commonly associated with the concept bird, a robin is considered a(n): a) prototype b) heuristic c) algorithm d) phenotype

4. 3. Compared to convergent thinkers, to solve a problem divergent thinkers are more likely to: a) Process information to arrive at the single best answer b) Think creatively and generate multiple answers c) Problem solve in a systematic step-by-step fashion d) Frequently suffer from functional fixedness

5. 4. Unlike B. F. Skinner, Noam Chomsky believes that children a) Learn to speak by mimicking the sounds around them b) Speak more quickly if their parents correct their mispronunciations earlier c) Are hard-wired for language acquisition d) Learn language more quickly if positive rewards are given to them

6. 5. Which of the following is a good example of functional fixedness? a) Failing to use a dime as a screwdriver when you have lost your screwdriver b) Not being able to solve a physics problem because you apply the same rule you always do c) Using a blanket as a pillow d) Adding water to a cake mix when it calls for milk

7. 6. Having been told that Syd is an engineer and Fran is an elementary school teacher, when Arnold meets the couple for the first time, he assumes that Syd is the husband and Fran is the wife, rather than the opposite, which is the case. This best illustrates: a) Confirmation bias b) The mere exposure effect c) The anchoring effect d) The representativeness heuristic

8. 7. Which of the following is a holophrase one-year-old Amanda is likely to say? • “Mmmmm” • “Gaga” • “Eat apple” • “Bottle”

9. 8. Which of the following exemplifies retroactive interference? • After suffering a blow to the head, Jean cannot form new memories. • Elle failed a Spanish test because she studied for her Italian test after studying Spanish. • Lee cannot remember an important date on the history exam. • Gene cannot remember his new locker combination, but he remembers the one from last year.

10. According to the nativist theory, language is acquired • By parents reinforcing correct language use • Using an inborn ability to learn language at a certain developmental stage • Best in the language and culture native to the child and parents • Only if formal language instruction is provided in the child’s native language

11. In light of their views on language acquisition, which theorist would expect apes to progress the furthest in language development? • B. F. Skinner • Noam Chomsky • Jean Piaget • Herb Terrance

12. The linguistic relativity hypothesis predicts that • People should have difficulty thinking about things they cannot describe in words • Language and thought should develop independently • People in all cultures should think alike, despite their language differences • Language development should consistently lag behind cognitive development

13. In cultures that depend on hunting and gathering for subsistence, __________ style is more adaptive. • A field dependent • A risk-averse • A field independent • An algorithmic

14. Corey was serving on a jury in a criminal case, and the jury reached a unanimous “not guilty” verdict. Several months later, some additional evidence came to light that strongly suggested that the defendant was, in fact, guilty of the crime in question. Corey is still not convinced by the new evidence, and claims he wouldn’t have voted guilty, even if the new information had been presented during the trial. In this example, Corey is showing evidence of • The conjunction fallacy • The availability heuristic • Belief perseverance • Mental set

15. Dr. Grath believes that both an innate predisposition and a supportive environment contribute to language development. Dr. Grath’s views are MOST consistent with those of • Behavioral theories • Nativist theories • Whorfian theories • Interactionist theories

16. Fast mapping is • The development of a mental representation of one’s environment • The pacing activity associated with genetics, allowing for anticipation of motivational events • The type of play a child engages in at an early age • Mapping words to underlying concepts after only one exposure

17. B A B C A D D B B A A C C D D Chapter 8 Answer Key

18. Essay Question Possibilities!! • One of the following essay questions will appear on your test, be familiar with all of them!!

19. Essay Question # 1 • Outline the key properties of language, and use these to evaluate the ape-language controversy.

20. Essay Question # 2 • Compare and contrast the behaviorist and nativist theories of language acquisition. What is the interactionist view, and how has it arisen out of dissatisfaction with the other two approaches?

21. Essay Question # 3 • Name and describe the 3 types of problems identified by Greeno (1978), and indicate which of the six approaches to problem solving discussed in your text would be helpful and unhelpful in solving each type of problem.

22. Essay Question # 4 • How does risky decision making differ from making decisions about preferences? How do people generally make each type of decision?

23. Good Luck! • Make sure to double check all of your answers and study them for the upcoming exam. Remember, AT LEAST FIVE of the questions from this quiz will make some sort of appearance on the chapter test along with one of the essay questions. • Take advantage of this study guide and good luck on your test!