This same experimenter wonders if a 6-month old Japanese baby can tell the difference between these two sounds. The experimenter first pairs the sound /r/ with a clapping toy presented to the baby's right. Then, the experimenter plays the sound /l/ repeatedly over speakers while the baby is looking straight ahead.
-The fact that the 6-month old turned when the sound changed from /l/ to /r/ indicates that the Japanese baby:
A) can detect the difference between /r/ and /l/
B) cannot detect the difference between /r/ and /l/
C) prefers the sound /l/ to the sound /r/
D) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the baby turned when the sound changed from /l/ to /r/ indicates that the baby was able to detect the difference between the two sounds. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. The experiment does not provide information about the baby's preference for either sound, so choice C cannot be correct. Choice D is also incorrect as one of the given choices must be correct.

This Same Experimenter Wonders If a 6-Month Old Japanese Baby