Question 1

Bilingual children perform better than monolingual children on perceptual tasks that involve ignoring some features of objects (such as colour) and selectively focusing on other features (such as shape). This difference may appear because ________.

Accepted Answer

Bilingual children often develop enhanced executive control, which includes better selective attention, due to managing two languages.

Question 2

Today, most linguists do not agree with Benjamin Lee Whorf's linguistic relativity hypothesis and instead argue that language ___________ the basic aspects of perception and thought.

Accepted Answer

Most linguists today believe that language reflects rather than determines the basic aspects of perception and thought, challenging the stronger interpretations of the linguistic relativity hypothesis proposed by Benjamin Lee Whorf.

Question 3

Juan's parents recently immigrated to Ontario from South America and they are getting ready to send him to school where he will have to learn both English language and educational content. Because Juan only speaks Spanish, research indicates that he will perform best if he is placed in a(n) ____________ classroom.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that children who are learning a new language perform best in bilingual classrooms. This approach allows them to learn new content in their native language while gradually acquiring the new language, in this case, English. This method supports both language development and academic achievement.

Question 4

Compared with non-English speaking children who are placed in English-only classrooms and left to struggle, those in bilingual classes develop __________ self-esteem and exhibit __________ academic performance and English fluency.

Accepted Answer

Children in bilingual classes often develop higher self-esteem because their native language and culture are valued and incorporated into their learning. This supportive environment typically leads to better academic performance and English fluency compared to those who are placed in English-only environments without additional language support.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of The extreme position that language not only...

Question 6

The fact that children from Asian countries frequently perform better on mathematical tests in comparison to English-speaking children is evidence in support of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The performance difference suggests that the structure and vocabulary of a language can influence cognitive processes like mathematical reasoning, supporting the idea that language affects thought.

Question 7

When performing a cognitive task in which the person must inhibit attention to an irrelevant feature and pay attention to another feature, __________ typically perform better than __________.

Accepted Answer

Bilinguals often perform better than monolinguals on tasks requiring attentional control, such as inhibiting attention to irrelevant features. This is attributed to their experience in managing two languages, which enhances their cognitive control abilities.

Question 8

Your friend was raised in Hong Kong and speaks fluent Chinese. It might not be surprising that he was able to grasp many mathematical principles at an early age because of the symbolic nature of the Chinese language. This situation would be consistent with the ________.

Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers' world view or cognition, and in this case, it implies that the symbolic nature of the Chinese language could influence the ability to understand mathematical principles.

Question 9

Evidence for structure when primates use human language is ________.

Accepted Answer

The evidence for structure when primates use human language is controversial. While some studies suggest that primates can learn aspects of human language, including some elements of syntax and sign language, the extent to which they understand and use language as humans do remains a matter of debate among researchers.

Question 10

Which of the following aspects of human language has the strongest support in primates?

Accepted Answer

Primates have demonstrated the ability to use symbols to represent objects or concepts, which is a basic aspect of symbolism.

Question 11

Despite their original intentions, researchers working with the chimp __________ eventually concluded that chimpanzees are NOT capable of exhibiting true language.

Accepted Answer

Nim Chimpsky was the subject of a research study aimed at finding out if chimpanzees could learn sign language and use it in a way that resembles human language. The study concluded that while Nim could use signs, he did not do so in a way that demonstrated true linguistic competence, such as creating novel sentences or understanding complex grammar.

Question 12

In brain-imaging studies of bilinguals, is the second language represented the same way in the brain as the first language?

Accepted Answer

The representation of a second language in the brain can depend on when the language was learned. Early bilinguals, who learn two languages from a young age, often show similar neural patterns for both languages. In contrast, individuals who learn a second language later in life may show different patterns of brain activation, indicating that the timing of language acquisition can influence how languages are represented in the brain.

Question 13

Studies in Switzerland, South Africa, and Canada suggest that greater thinking, flexibility, and higher performance on non-verbal intelligence tests is at least correlated with ____________________.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals who are bilingual often exhibit greater thinking flexibility and higher performance on non-verbal intelligence tests compared to monolingual individuals. This is thought to be due to the cognitive demands of managing two languages, which may enhance certain brain functions.

Question 14

Research suggests that some ________.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that songbirds exhibit both "local dialects" and sensitive periods for learning their songs, which are influenced by their environment and interactions with other birds.

Question 15

The hypothesis that suggests that language not only influences but also determines what we are capable of thinking is called the ______________ hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The hypothesis that suggests that language not...

Question 16

Researchers generally agree that the language skills that chimps demonstrate meet the _____________ criteria/criterion of language but there is still much disagreement and debate as to whether or not the speech of chimps is __________________.

Accepted Answer

Chimps' language skills are considered symbolic because they can use symbols to represent objects or concepts. However, there is debate about whether their communication is structural or generative, as these involve more complex language rules and creativity.

Question 17

Eleanor Rosch (1973) 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 _______________ colours, providing evidence that ___________ the linguistic relativity hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The study showed that despite having only two words for colors, the Dani people could still distinguish between a wide range of colors, which contradicted the linguistic relativity hypothesis that language limits thought and perception.

Question 18

Evidence suggests that Whorf's original linguistic relativity hypothesis was ________.

Accepted Answer

Whorf's original linguistic relativity hypothesis, which suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers' world view or cognition, has been found to be overstated. Subsequent research has shown that while language can influence thought in more subtle ways, the strong version of the hypothesis proposed by Whorf is not fully supported by empirical evidence.

Question 19

Positive correlates of bilingualism do NOT include ________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that bilingualism is associated with a variety of cognitive benefits, including greater flexibility in thinking, better performance on standardized intelligence tests, and greater skill at selectively focusing attention. However, there is no evidence to suggest that bilingualism leads to larger frontal lobes. The benefits of bilingualism are more related to cognitive and functional improvements rather than changes in brain structure size.

Question 20

People who learn a second language before the age of 10 and are able to speak both languages fluently are most likely to have ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who learn a second language before...

Quiz 9: Language and Thinking

Bilingual children perform better than monolingual children on perceptual tasks that involve ignoring some features of objects (such as colour) and selectively focusing on other features (such as shape) . This difference may appear because ________.