Language and Cognition - 1143 Words

Language and Cognition Axia College of the University of Phoenix PSY360 September 12, 2011 Language and Cognition Language is considered unique among humans. Language, as defined below, occurs only among the human species and does not exist elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Therefore, the study of how humans learn, process, and create meaning from linguistic utterances and the written word is a central feature of cognitive psychology. The many questions that arise from this line of research include whether language is a separate faculty apart from cognition or if language is a product of our general cognitive abilities (Harris, n. d.). To examine language in the context of cognition, it is necessary to arrive at a working†¦show more content†¦Words are also interpreted in terms of context. In addition, â€Å"people recognize words through a matching process in which a spoken word is compared with a mental dictionary called a lexicon that contains representations of all the words they know (Willingham, 2007 p. 453). This important to cognitive system because once a phoneme string is found to match an entry in the lexicon, other properties including spelling and meanings can then be accessed. Lexical decisions are subject to priming. The lexicon can be primed by a word so that related words will more quickly come to mind. Disambiguation of sentences first requires that the words be placed in a logical order. Changing the order of the words can radically alter the meaning of a sentence. Psychologists refer to the psychological mechanism that recognizes phrase structure as the parser. It is the function of the sentence parser to process phrase structure. The parser may be guided by â€Å"syntactic factors (key words, minimal attachment, recency), frequency, and semantics (i.e., meaning) (Willingham 2007 p. 460). According to Willingham (2007), the two key aspects that help people to understand text are making inferences from the text and seeking coherence within the text. Making inferences is a process of filling in information not specifical ly stated within the text. The inferences are generally made based on the reader’s prior experiences. The search for coherence is the process comparingShow MoreRelatedLinks Between Cognition And Language1402 Words   |  6 PagesThere are a number of links between cognition and language that form important links. These links are illustrated well, specifically in terms of spatial organization, fire, hunting and cooperative provisioning, within the context of the Gesher Benot Ya’aqov. Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (GBY) is an archaeological site Dated to approximately 780 kya. It provides evidence to support the notion that early hominids were making fires, and spatially organising their lives in a social manner, deliberately aroundRead MoreThe Relation Between Cognition And Language2500 Words   |  10 PagesThe relation between cognition and language has been a curious topic for many decades now. Cognition plays a dynamic role within linguistic expression Most of current discussion in layman’s crowd is on a speaker’s ability to impart influence on an audience. We study the power of language in propaganda. We look at the sway that specific words have on an individual’s emotions. Linguistic scholars have looked into the opposite- the influence of words on the speaker. Around the world there are almostRead MoreThe Importance Of Play And Its Effect On Cognition, Linguistics, And Pragmatics1501 Words   |  7 PagesAssessment of Play Jimmy Kue Northeastern State University Abstract This paper explores the importance of play and its effect on cognition, linguistics, and pragmatics in infants and toddlers and how play can affect their social competence as preschoolers. Assessment of Play In a third world country, some Hmong parents’ believe in the teaching for survival needs are important and necessary in order to survive. Chores were evenly distributed throughout the family who were capable to contributeRead MorePsy 360 Language Essay1417 Words   |  6 PagesLanguage Essay Ryan Butler Psychology 360 August 29, 2011 Professor Newlin LANGUAGE Have you ever wondered how we speak? How about why our communication is considered a language and other animal’s communication is not considered language? A wide range of beliefs exist on what defines language. Thus, by exploring the definition of language and lexicon, evaluating language’s key features, the four levels of language structure and processing, and the role of language in Cognitive PsychologyRead MoreLinguistic Relativity Essay1508 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Linguistic relativity is the notion that language can affect our thought processes, and is often referred to as the ‘Sapir-Whorf hypothesis’, after the two linguists who brought the idea into the spotlight. Whorf writes how â€Å"Language is not merely a reproducing instrument for voicing ideas but rather is itself the shaper of ideas, the program and guide for the individual’s mental activity† (1956:212), and I will explain how it is able to do so. In this essay I will argue that certainRead MoreThe Importance Of Cognition And Its Impact On Human Cognition1249 Words   |  5 Pagesis it that makes human beings different and unique? The most important thing that makes humans unique is our cognition. We are the coherent mammals and the one important characteristic that truly measures our nature is that we are a representational group. Humans are truly unique because of our human cognition, including are language and symbolic thought. First, what is cognition? Cognition is how an individual comprehends and behaves within this world. It is a cluster of capabilities or proceduresRead MoreForeign Language Learning And Teaching1479 Words   |  6 Pagessociety to have good command of more than two languages in addition to one’s native language (cf. Gehring, 2010). Consequently, various forms of foreign language learning and teaching have become common worldwide, and language courses are offered in school, university, and in the workforce. In particular, English, French, and Spanish as foreign languages have been dominating in school systems around Europe (cf. Decke-Cornill Kà ¼ster, 2010). The world language and lingua franca English is widely usedRead MoreCognition And Perception Of Cognition1466 Words   |  6 Pages understanding and awareness is known as cognition. Cognition is unique in that it manages the human’s conscious and unconscious mind. It is constantly retrieving current mental insi ght while still constantly developing new ones. In simple terms, despite the intricacies of what it entails, cognition refers to the method of how a human being deals with information and applies knowledge based on their psychological capacity. Because the concept of cognition is so abstract, there are various types ofRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article The Bounds Of Cognition 1362 Words   |  6 Pages This paper will make critiques of arguments made by Fred Adams and Kenneth Aizawa in their article The Bounds of Cognition, as well as Sean Allen-Hermanson’s Superdupersizing the Mind: Extended Cognition as the Persistence of Cognitive Bloat. The purpose of this paper will be to address a few of the attacks in defence of Clark and Chalmers’ extended mind theory (EMT) by critiquing each author’s respective arguments. To preface this paper, a brief introduction of Clark and Chalmers’ extended mindRead MoreCommunication And Communication Between Employees And Staff During The Cookout And Activities Essay834 Words   |  4 Pagesmembers of DeRiche Agency? Yes, all of the patients were able to communicate in one way or another. They were able to use sign language, nonverbal cues, body language, verbal communication and/or other forms of communication. 2. In your observations, were all clients present able to communicate with the CTC OTA students? Yes the clients were able to communicate through body language, verbal communication, interpratation through a staff member, pointing and other forms of communication. 3. What limitations