PSYA02H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Language Acquisition Device, Function Word, Frontal Lobe
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PSYA02H3 Full Course Notes
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English boy, christopheramazing talent for languages but scores on intelligence tests were far below normal. Does not have cognitive capacity to make decisions, reason, or solve problems, but can speak 16 languages and learn them quickly. This is evidence that cognition is composed of distinct abilities. Language is a system for communicating with others using signals that are combined according to rules of grammar and convey meaning. Grammar is a set of rules that specify how the units of language can be combined to produce meaningful messages. Human language evolved from signaling systems used by other species but there are three differences that make the human language unique: 1. The complex structure distinguishes from simpler signaling systems. Most humans can express a wider range of ideas and concepts than are found in the communication of other species, and can generate infinite number of novel sentences. Humans use words to refer to intangible things.
