Language and Intelligence

Language and Intelligence
Structure of language
• Phonemes - basic sounds
– English has ~40 phonemes
– We can only hear and produce the phonemes
of our native language after a critical period
(~6-12 months)
Structure of language
• Morphemes - units of meaning
– Sometimes words
– Not always - prefixes and postfixes are
morphemes
– Multi-phoneme words
Structure of language
• Grammar - rules of a language
– Semantics
– Syntax
Language in the brain
• Left hemisphere
– Broca’s area
– Wernicke’s area
Language development
• Language is learned at an exponential rate
during the first 5 years
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___ mos. - babbling
___ mos. - one-word stage
___ mos. - language explosion begins
___ mos. - two-word stage; ~300 word vocabulary
___ mos. - phrases, complex sentences; ~1000 word
vocabulary
• Critical period
Nature vs. Nurture
• Skinner - language is acquired through
learning principles
• Chomsky - the brain is hard-wired to
acquire language
• Who is right?
Sign language
• The same brain regions devoted to spoken
language are devoted to sign language in
non-hearing individuals
Animal language
• Do animals communicate?
• Do animals use language?
What is intelligence?
Intelligence
• Cultural construct
– What skills and knowledge are currently
valued in the U.S.?
Intelligence
• Spearman - General intelligence - G
– Performance in one area predicts
performance in another
Intelligence
• Multiple intelligences
– Gardner’s 8 intelligences
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Linguistic
Logical-mathematical
Musical
Bodily-kinesthetic
Spatial
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalist
+ Existential
Intelligence
• Multiple intelligences
– Sternberg’s triarchic theory
• Analytic
• Practical
• Creative
Intelligence
• Multiple intelligences
– Emotional intelligence
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Perceive emotions
Understand emotions
Manage emotions
Use emotions
Measuring intelligence
• Intelligence testing
– Binet
– Terman (Stanford-Binet)
– Wechsler (WAIS & WISC)
• IQ tests are meant to measure aptitude,
not achievement
• IQ tests must have reliability and validity
Pitfalls of intelligence testing
• Cultural bias
• Measure achievement and aptitude
• Classifications are both helpful and limiting
Influences on intelligence
• Genetic heritability
– Twin studies
– Adoption studies
• Environmental influence
– Supportive environment
– Impoverished environment
– Schooling