Exam 8: A: Language and Thought

Imagine that anthropologists found a culture that had over 80 different words for rice. What would that discovery suggest if researchers also found that the people in this culture thought about rice in different and more elaborate ways than people who have only one word for rice?

Dr. DeGroot believes that children gradually acquire language skills as neural circuits that support language develop within the brain. Dr. DeGroot further believes that these neural circuits will not develop unless children are exposed to appropriate language learning experiences. Which language theory is most consistent with Dr. DeGroot's views?

Maribel is on a jury, and she is already convinced that the defendant in the case is not guilty. She listens very attentively to everything the defence attorneys have to say, but she tends to pay less attention when the prosecution is presenting evidence. What seems to be influencing Maribel's behaviour in this instance?

Zackary's friend asks how well Zackary gets along with his younger brother. Zackary thinks about how irritating his younger brother was yesterday, and the big fight they had as a result, and tells his friend that he doesn't get along with his brother at all. Which of the following is Zackary's response consistent with, in this instance?

What are you demonstrating if you overestimate the accuracy of your answer?

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five daughters. Hoping for a son, they decide to have a sixth child, reasoning that a boy is long overdue. Is their reasoning correct, and why?

The symbols used in a language are arbitrary. What does this mean?

Kimba is trying to decide to which graduate schools she will apply. She has decided not to apply to any university located in a city with a population greater than 500,000 people, and she does not plan to apply to any university more than 500 miles from the city where her parents live. What strategy is Kimba using?

What have we learned from studies in which researchers have attempted to teach chimpanzees and bonobos to use nonverbal language (i.e., sign language or communication boards)?

Darius belongs to a religious sect whose livelihood is based on agriculture. There are strict rules regarding dress and behaviour, and children are expected to help in the fields as soon as they are old enough. Which of the following is Darius likely to exhibit based on what is known about cultural differences in cognitive style?

What is the denotation of a word?

After seeing your new neighbour walking very stiffly and primly by your house wearing horn-rimmed glasses on a chain, a cardigan sweater, and her hair in a bun, you decide she must be a librarian. What are you using to make this judgment?

What does functional fixedness refer to?

How many phonemes does the English language use?

Roberto knows how to say "red," but when his cousin asks him to name the colours of the cars that drive past their house, he says red for the red cars, the blue cars, the green cars, and the black cars. What does this example illustrate?

Language allows a person to express new ideas. Which quality of language does this reflect?

At about what age are a child's first words generally spoken?

Assume that odds of a new computer requiring any type of service in the first two years are less than 1 in 10 000, and the average cost any computer service calls is only $120. However, Karen pays $300 for a two-year service contract on her new computer. She explains that her peace of mind is well worth the cost of the contract. What is Karen using to make her decision to purchase the service agreement, in this case?

According to your text, people who are critical thinkers recognize semantic slanting. In addition, which of the following do critical thinkers understand?

You believe that getting a degree in business will guarantee you a high-paying career. Every time you hear about someone with a prestigious career, and a business degree, you take this as evidence to support your belief. Which of the following will you NOT do if you are vulnerable to confirmation bias?