Deck 9: Language and Thinking

Question 1

The surface structure of a language refers to the ways that symbols are combined within that language, while the underlying meaning of these combined symbols is considered ________.

A) deep structure
B) syntax
C) semantics
D) displacement

Answer 1

deep structure

Question 2

Seth is interested in studying individuals' ability to recognize phonemes present in different languages. Seth's research interests lie in the area of:

A) psycholinguistics
B) sociolinguistics
C) anthrolinguistics
D) neurolinguistics

Answer 2

psycholinguistics

Question 3

Language can be used to create an infinite number of messages that can have novel or new meanings. This quality of language is referred to as:

A) symbolic
B) structural
C) generative
D) propositional

Answer 3

generative

Question 4

The following two sentences: "The cat was chased by the dog" and "The dog chased the cat," have

A) the same syntax but they use different semantics
B) different deep structures
C) different surface structures
D) different semantics

Question 5

Consider the statement, "Last night, I shot an elephant in my pajamas." Since this sentence has at least two different interpretations (the pajamas could be worn by the person shooting the elephant OR they could be worn by the elephant), this means that this sentence has:

A) two different surface structures and two different deep structures.
B) two different deep structures and one surface structure.
C) one surface structure and one deep structure.
D) two different surface structures and one deep structure.

Question 6

Semantics is to syntax as:

A) verbs are to nouns
B) nouns are to verbs
C) structure is to meaning
D) meaning is to structure

Question 7

The term syntax refers to the rules that govern the organization of the surface structure of a language, while the rules that determine how symbols are connected to what they represent are referred to as .

A) morphemes
B) semantics
C) heuristics
D) phonemes

Question 8

The smallest unit of sound that can be distinctly recognized in a language is known as a:

A) phoneme.
B) semantic unit.
C) proposition.
D) morpheme.

Question 9

While playing one afternoon, a group of children decided to develop a special language only they would know. They decided that they would use the word "yof" to mean adults. Whenever a child used the word "yof" the others knew that the child was referring to an adult. This represents which property of language?

A) symbolic
B) structure
C) generative
D) syntax

Question 10

A morpheme is considered to be the smallest unit of in a language.

A) surface structure
B) distinguishable sound
C) syntax
D) meaning

Question 11

A friend is trying to solve a problem and you have an idea about how to solve it. You translate your idea into words and tell the person your idea for solving the problem. You have transferred your idea from your mind to your friend's mind. In this example, your idea is considered an example of:

A) a schema.
B) a proposition.
C) a heuristic.
D) a mental representation.

Question 12

The essential properties that define this ability are that it is symbolic, has structure, conveys meaning and is generative. This ability is:

A) problem solving
B) intelligence
C) language
D) mental imagery

Question 13

Identify the deep structure in the statement, "That's like finding a needle in a haystack."

A) It's hard to find a needle in a haystack.
B) The task referred to is very difficult.
C) The actual symbols used in the statement are the deep structure.
D) The syntax of the statement is the deep structure.

Question 14

In terms of the properties of languages, displacement is to symbolic as infinite is to ________.

A) generative
B) propositional
C) structure
D) representational

Question 15

You can readily use language to describe the features of a person that you know. This use of language demonstrates how language is symbolic and illustrates the linguistic feature of _.

A) displacement
B) syntax
C) semantics
D) pragmatics

Question 16

As an English speaker, you recognize that if you want to put a verb into the past tense you can add an 'ed' to it, such as changing 'walk' to 'walked'. The rules governing this type of transformation are known as:

A) phonemics
B) pragmatics
C) semantics
D) syntax

Question 17

All of the following were mentioned by the text as examples of mental representations EXCEPT:

A) a principle
B) the sound "th"
C) an idea
D) an image

Question 18

While playing one afternoon, a group of children decided to develop a special language only they would know. Jordan started working on the new symbols for their thoughts and behaviours. After writing quite an elaborate letter using his new symbols he gave it to the other children to try to decipher the message. To their dismay, the same symbols were used in very different ways and different symbols often represented the same idea. Jordan had violated one of the three critical properties of language because his language:

A) was not symbolically linked
B) was generative
C) was able to produce an infinite number of messages
D) did not have a rule-governed structure

Question 19

In every language, there are rules that determine how phonemes can be combined to create morphemes. These rules are called:

A) mental representations
B) motherese
C) syntax
D) semantics

Question 20

Evolutionary theorists suggest that language evolved to help individuals:

A) deal with larger social groups.
B) care for offspring.
C) use tools more effectively.
D) attract mates.

Question 21

When you read a section in your introductory psychology textbook, you are reading language units larger than a sentence. This level of language hierarchy is called:

A) discourse
B) phonemics
C) pragmatics
D) semantics

Question 22

The number of phonemes in the English language is about:

A) 40
B) 15
C) 120
D) 80

Question 23

When an adult simplifies instructions because she is giving them to a young child, the adult is showing sensitivity to what area of language?

A) pragmatics
B) syntax
C) discourse
D) semantics

Question 24

The fact that language-deprived children are generally unable to acquire normal language skills when they are found past puberty was presented as evidence of:

A) how fluid intelligence is more important than crystallized intelligence.
B) a sensitive period in the development of language.
C) how brain damage can impact language acquisition.
D) how experiences have little impact on language development.

Question 25

Prior to 6 months of age, infants around the world are able to differentiate the phonemes of all languages, but between 6 to 12 months of age they begin to differentiate _.

A) only the phonemes not associated with their native language
B) approximately only 5 to 10 phonemes associated with their native language
C) approximately only 2 to 4 phonemes associated with their native language
D) only the phonemes associated with their native language

Question 26

One of the arguments for the biological basis of language is that despite their differences at the phonemic level, all languages seem to have a common underlying _.

A) surface structure
B) linguistic heuristic
C) deep structure
D) syntax

Question 27

The level of analysis beyond the level of the sentences such as examining conversations or paragraphs is known as:

A) phonemics
B) pragmatics
C) discourse
D) language

Question 28

Speech segmentation was given as an example in your textbook of how is involved in understanding language.

A) top-down processing
B) discourse
C) bottom-up processing
D) grammar

Question 29

An impairment in speech comprehension or production is known as:

A) dyslexia
B) phonemia
C) aphasia
D) agnosia

Question 30

The proposal that humans have a language acquisition device is based on the evidence that the development of language:

A) is influenced by adults' positive reinforcement
B) is supported by parents' activities such as child-directed speech
C) is a result of social learning processes
D) has a biological basis

Question 31

The fact that children in all cultures are able to master the rules of language relatively early in life without formal instruction was discussed as evidence indicating that:

A) language acquisition may have a biological basis.
B) parents cross-culturally invest a lot of effort in teaching their infants language.
C) the learning of language is largely shaped by the environment.
D) children use deductive reasoning to learn language.

Question 32

The study of the practical aspects of language and how it occurs in a social context is known as:

A) pragmatics
B) syntax
C) phonemics
D) semantics

Question 33

Noam Chomsky proposed that humans are born with a , which is an innate biological mechanism that contains the general grammatical rules common in all languages.

A) language acquisition support system
B) syntax acquisition device
C) syntax acquisition support system
D) language acquisition device

Question 34

When learning to speak another language, it can be difficult to hear the individual words in a native speakers' utterance. This is a problem with:

A) speech segmentation
B) semantics
C) phonemics
D) bottom-up processing

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a cue used in speech segmentation?

A) the context for interpreting the message
B) using the other words in the sentence
C) decrease in energy output between words
D) knowing which sequences of phonemes are likely to occur together or not

Question 36

The level at which sentences are combined into paragraphs or conversation is known as:

A) discourse
B) language
C) phonemics
D) pragmatics

Question 37

The prefix "un" in the word "unusual" is an example of a:

A) morpheme.
B) surface structure.
C) linguistic heuristic.
D) phoneme.

Question 38

Using phonemes to build morphemes to create words reflects what type of approach to understanding language?

A) phonemics
B) discourse
C) bottom-up processing
D) top-down processing

Question 39

The fact that between 6 to 12 months of age, young children begin to differentiate the sounds of phonemes of their native language and lose the ability to differentiate the sounds of other phonemes that they were previously able to make, is best considered as an example of how:

A) the formation of mental representations influences language development.
B) learning interacts with biology during language acquisition.
C) language skills develop in parallel with motor skills.
D) childhood language development can be viewed as a special case of the representativeness heuristic.

Question 40

Sarah remarks, "It is cold in here, isn't it?" hoping Martha will close the window. Instead Martha comments, "No I don't think so" This is a breakdown in what area of language?

A) pragmatics
B) phonemics
C) semantics
D) syntax

Question 41

Suppose there was a language that had only two words for precipitation, and that one of those words was for rain and the other for snow. If it was found that people who spoke only that language had difficulty discriminating among mist, drizzle, rain, freezing rain, hail, ice pellets, snow, and other forms of precipitation, then that finding would support the:

A) linguistic relativity hypothesis.
B) divergent thinking hypothesis.
C) functional fixedness hypothesis.
D) sensitive period hypothesis.

Question 42

While at the park, 19-month-old Suzy points to the swing set and says, "Push swing!" After she has had enough and wants to leave, she turns to her father and says, "Go car." Phrases such as these are called:

A) child-directed speech.
B) child-speak.
C) baby talk.
D) telegraphic speech.

Question 43

In his research on bilingual speakers, Lambert found that:

A) people cannot master the grammar of a second language if they begin to learn it after about age seven.
B) people who learned a second language as adults showed superior cognitive processing compared to monolinguals matched on other variables.
C) having to learn two vocabularies and two sets of grammar put bilingual speakers at a disadvantage on performance tests relative to monolinguals.
D) bilingual speakers scored at least as well as monolinguals on performance tests.

Question 44

Recent brain imaging studies examining sex differences during a language task indicate that:

A) the left hemisphere is more active for men but both left and right hemispheres are active for women
B) the left hemisphere is more active for men and the right hemisphere is more active for women
C) the left hemisphere is more active for women, but both left and right hemispheres are active for men
D) the left hemisphere is equally activated for men and women

Question 45

According to research, a person at what age would have the easiest time learning and effectively mastering a second language?

A) a 10-year-old
B) a 20-year-old
C) a 15-year-old
D) a 5-year-old

Question 46

Which of the following would be best considered an example of the imaginal mode of thought?

A) your conclusions about what will happen if you stay on the beach too long in the sun
B) your mental representation of the muscle movements needed to swim at the beach
C) your mental representation of yourself sitting on a beach with the waves slowly lapping in
D) your declarative thoughts about the proper technique for swimming

Question 47

Anna and her family moved to Germany when Anna was thirteen years old and her brother Andrew was four. Even after many years of speaking and reading the German language, Anna still struggled with the language compared to Andrew who easily switches between English and German when necessary. The fact that Andrew was able to master this second language faster and better than Anna is evidence for:

A) gender differences in language acquisition
B) a language acquisition device
C) a sensitive period for language acquisition
D) social learning processes in children

Question 48

The basic units of semantic memory that form the mental categories into which we place objects, activities, and abstractions are called:

A) phonemes
B) prototypes
C) concepts
D) morphemes

Question 49

The thought, "I need to study for my psychology exam" enters your head. This thought is best considered as an example of:

A) a heuristic.
B) inductive reasoning.
C) a proposition.
D) a prototype.

Question 50

Adjectives for the major modes of thought are:

A) propositional, imaginal, and motoric.
B) crystallized and fluid.
C) structural and deep.
D) inductive and deductive.

Question 51

While trying to learn what a "doggie" is, little Johnny looks at every animal he sees and compares it to his new puppy. If the animal is similar enough to his own puppy, then he decides it also is a puppy. Johnny's puppy serves as a for dogs.

A) heuristic
B) concept
C) prototype
D) proposition

Question 52

The position that language not only influences but determines what we are capable of thinking is known as the:

A) triarchic theory.
B) comparative theory.
C) linguistic relativity hypothesis.
D) theory of linguistic determinism.

Question 53

Greater thinking flexibility and higher performance on IQ tests were specifically mentioned as benefits of:

A) convergent thinking.
B) being bilingual.
C) mental representations.
D) effectively using prototypes and heuristics.

Question 54

Which of the following would be best considered an example of the motoric mode of thought?

A) your mental image of a pitcher throwing a baseball
B) your mental representation of the muscle movements needed to throw a baseball
C) your predictions about what will happen if you throw a baseball to someone
D) your declarative thoughts about the proper technique involved in throwing a baseball

Question 55

Research by Perani and coworkers on how different languages are processed in the brains of bilinguals found, in PET scans, that:

A) two different areas of the brain were activated when processing different languages regardless of when individuals learned the languages
B) two different areas of the brain were activated when processing different languages for individuals who learned both languages at a young age but the same areas were activated for those who learned one of the languages after age 10
C) the same areas of the brain were activated for individuals who learned both languages at a young age but different areas were activated for those who learned one of the languages after age 10
D) the same areas of the brains were activated when processing different languages for individuals who learned both languages regardless of when they learned the languages

Question 56

A Canadian family with two children (a boy and a girl) moves to Germany where both of the children must learn a new language. The girl is 6 years old while the boy is 13 years old. Based on the results on the acquisition of a second language, we would expect that:

A) neither child would be able to master the grammar of German about as well as the grammar of English.
B) the girl, but not the boy, would eventually master the grammar of German about as well as the grammar of English.
C) the boy, but not the girl, would eventually master the grammar of German about as well as the grammar of English.
D) both children would be able to master the grammar of German about as well as the grammar of English.

Question 57

Typical and familiar members of a particular class by which many of our concepts are defined are called:

A) propositions
B) heuristics
C) mental sets
D) prototypes

Question 58

Rosch studied the Dani people from New Guinea who had only two words for colour: one for bright colours and one for dark colours. Her results revealed that the Dani were capable of distinguishing the difference between a wide assortment of colours, providing evidence that contradicted _.

A) triarchic theory of language
B) linguistic relativity hypothesis
C) comparative theory of language
D) linguistic determinism

Question 59

In their most basic form, these statements express facts and consist of concepts that are combined in a particular way. These statements are called:

A) belief biases
B) mental representations
C) propositions
D) heuristics

Question 60

The generally high-pitched tone of voice that people often use to speak to infants, babies, toddlers, and even to some small pets is technically called:

A) child-speak.
B) telegraphic speech.
C) child-directed speech.
D) baby talk.

Question 61

Gina works for a widget company where her job is to bundle the widgets in packages of 25. Gina figures out a method of bundling the widgets but fails to implement the final stage of problem solving which in the long-run caused her to miss a more efficient
Method. This final stage was _.

A) evaluating the solution
B) generating solutions
C) testing her solution
D) framing the problem

Question 62

Based on research in communication, which of the following is evidence disputing the position that animals exhibit true language?

A) The chimp Kanzi appeared to comprehend language at the level of a toddler.
B) The chimp Washoe would sometimes combine signs in novel ways.
C) The chimp Kanzi appeared to understand the importance of syntax.
D) The chimp Nim Chimpsky appeared to often imitate his trainer's previous signs.

Question 63

The four stages of the problem-solving process are:

A) framing the problem, understanding the problem, testing solutions, and evaluating results
B) framing the problem, understanding the problem, generating solutions, and testing solutions
C) framing the problem, generating solutions, creating a mental set, and evaluating results
D) framing the problem, generating solutions, testing solutions, and evaluating results

Question 64

Before they ran any actual experiments, Darley and Latané based the development of their theory of diffusion of responsibility on the highly publicized murder of Kitty Genovese and a few other similar instances. This would represent an instance where science is utilizing reasoning.

A) inductive
B) deductive
C) heuristic
D) propositional

Question 65

Deductive reasoning is considered to be a stronger and more valid form of reasoning than inductive reasoning because:

A) deductive reasoning is less vulnerable to the availability heuristic.
B) if the premises are true, the conclusion cannot be false.
C) inductive reasoning is more vulnerable to the representativeness heuristic.
D) deductive reasoning leads to a high likelihood that the conclusions are true.

Question 66

The term "belief bias" specifically refers to our tendency to:

A) over-use habitual algorithms to solve problems.
B) confuse probability with representativeness.
C) confuse probability with availability.
D) abandon logic in favour of our personal ideas.

Question 67

Which of the following questions would an individual typically be able to answer the quickest?

A) Is a turnip a vegetable?
B) Is a carrot a vegetable?
C) Is a rutabaga a vegetable?
D) Is a tomato a vegetable?

Question 68

Which of the following statements about science is most accurate?

A) Science exclusively utilizes deductive reasoning because it is considered to be stronger than inductive reasoning.
B) Science rarely utilizes either deductive or inductive reasoning.
C) Science exclusively utilizes inductive reasoning because it is considered to be stronger than deductive reasoning.
D) Science may utilize both inductive and deductive reasoning at various points in the scientific process.

Question 69

Words such as "tree," "water skiing," and "assertive" are considered to be the fundamental units of semantic memory and are all examples of:

A) morphemes
B) prototypes
C) concepts
D) phonemes

Question 70

Assume that you have a drawer that contains 19 black socks and 13 blue socks. What is the minimum number of socks that you must take from the drawer to insure that you have a matching pair? The answer is 3 socks. Most people have difficulty determining the answer because:

A) of a conflict with the availability heuristic.
B) they fail to apply deductive rules to new situations.
C) of the belief bias.
D) they are distracted by irrelevant information.

Question 71

A psychologist has a theory that a certain mood disorder is largely due to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter ACS2. The psychologist believes that if the theory is correct then increasing the levels of ACS2 in people with that mood disorder will reduce their
Symptoms of the mood disorder. To test that hypothesis, the psychologist conducts a well-designed experiment. This example best represents:

A) deductive reasoning.
B) the confirmation bias.
C) propositional thought.
D) inductive reasoning.

Question 72

The finding that how information is structured and presented can influence the types of judgments individuals make illustrates the importance of on reasoning.

A) the belief bias.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) framing.
D) irrelevant information.

Question 73

Evidence in support of apes' language abilities is strongest in terms of the ________ criterion of language.

A) symbolic
B) generative
C) syntax
D) structured

Question 74

When we reason from general principles to a conclusion about a specific case, we are engaging in:

A) inductive reasoning.
B) problem-solving.
C) deductive reasoning.
D) heuristic reasoning.

Question 75

One morning, John decides to have oatmeal for breakfast, and he later performs very well on a math test that he takes that day. He doesn't think too much about this until a few weeks later when he does very well on an English test and recalls that he had oatmeal for breakfast before that test too. He concludes that eating oatmeal in the morning helps him perform better on exams. This example best demonstrates:

A) the process of inductive reasoning.
B) the use of the representativeness heuristic.
C) the process of deductive reasoning.
D) the use of problem-solving schemas.

Question 76

All of the following were discussed as factors that can interfere with the correct application of deductive reasoning EXCEPT:

A) the belief bias.
B) means-ends analysis.
C) distraction by irrelevant information.
D) how information is framed.

Question 77

Many concepts are difficult to describe in words, but we often can define them using typical and familiar members of a particular class called:

A) propositions
B) prototypes
C) phonemes
D) morphemes

Question 78

When Leslie's Dad gets home before 6:00 p.m., it means he has finished a job early and is in a good mood. When Dad is in a good mood, he takes Leslie out for ice cream. While finishing her homework today, Leslie hears her father's car pull into the driveway. It is 5:30 p.m. So Leslie reasoned, "Tonight I get ice cream!" Leslie was using ________ reasoning.

A) convergent
B) divergent
C) inductive
D) deductive

Question 79

Charlotte had seen many beautiful diamonds before but she had never seen a purple diamond. Therefore Charlotte reasoned that purple diamonds do not exist. Charlotte's reasoning may be in error because it leads to a likelihood rather than a certainty. This is called reasoning.

A) convergent
B) deductive
C) divergent
D) inductive

Question 80

A classic problem called, "The Crow and the Trains" requires you to determine the total distance a crow would fly while flying back and forth between two converging trains. If you initially conceptualized it as a distance problem, it was very difficult to solve but if instead you framed the problem in terms of , it was relatively easy to arrive at the solution.

A) divergent thinking
B) inductive reasoning
C) time
D) probability