The linguistic relativity hypothesis predicts that:
A)language and thought should develop independently
B)people in all cultures should think alike, despite their language differences
C)language development should consistently lag behind cognitive development
D)people should have difficulty thinking about things they cannot describe in words

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity hypothesis, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that language shapes the way people think and perceive the world around them. In other words, the words and grammatical structures of a language influence how speakers think and perceive reality. This can cause difficulties in thinking about things that cannot be easily expressed in words, making option D the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because the linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that language and thought are intimately connected. Option B is incorrect because the hypothesis predicts that people from different cultures will think differently due to their language differences. Option C is also incorrect because although the hypothesis suggests that language influences thought, it does not propose that language development always lags behind cognitive development.

The Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis Predicts That