Thesis on "Language Learning One of the Major Debates"
Thesis 3 pages (1055 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Language LearningOne of the major debates in psychology today concerns the human ability to develop and utilize language skills, the feature of humanity that has long been thought to separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. On one side of the argument are the neurobiologists and other scientists and researchers who study the brain, many of whom believe that language is a skill we are innately born to; that is, they believe that human beings are hard-wired for language, and that it is something that would develop in an individual regardless of their cognitive or learning circumstances. The other side of te argument s, as might be expected, that language is a learned trait just like most other aspects pf human behavior and skill, and that the basic rules and processes which govern cognitive growth and ability are just as applicable to language as the are to anything else. The likelihood is that this argument will never be settled; the ethical and medical barriers to performing a controlled experiment concerning the development of language in pre-language infants renders this option simply unviable. A careful study of the current research and literature, however, can reveal many insights into this issue. The conclusion most soundly verified by current research is that while humans do have an innate predisposition to the learning, adaptation, and use of language, this is not sufficient for the actual adoption of language by an individual, and learning behaviors must also be present for the innate language potential to be met.
Some very powerful, if convoluted, arguments for the cognitive basis of language can be made by examining other mental phenomena that seem isolated
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Morten Christiansen and Nick Chater (2008) would agree strongly with this sentiment. Their examination of what is known as the Universal Grammar or UG led them to the conclusion that "biologically determined UG is not evolutionarily viable. Instead, the original motivation for UG - the mesh between learners and languages - arises because language has been shaped to fit the human brain, rather than vice versa" (Christiansen & Chater 2008). This view is even more strongly expressed in their… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Language Learning One of the Major Debates" Assignment:
The reaction paper will test your ability to think, generate hypotheses, and, in general, apply psychological science. The task will be to take a position in a current debate in cognitive science. You will then have to support your position by drawing on the data that are available on the topic. This paper will require you to go beyond Matlin's textbook. You will need to refer to journal articles, book chapters, and, if you must websites. Each student must read journal articles for the paper. At least three journal articles must be must referenced. If you use websites, you are responsible for any misinformation you get from the website (the best websites to use are those of the researchers themselves).
Your view in the reaction paper must be supported by psychological science (including neuroscience, social psychology, neurobiology). Your feelings and impressions are not relevant in this paper; rather it is scientific data that you must draw upon. You do not necessarily have to be balanced. Choose the data that supports your position, and refute data that may support the other position. You will be graded on your ability to do both. Topic: Should language ability be considered innate? Or is it learned through well-understood behavioral principles of learning?
You must also answer the question in approximately 1,000 words (about 3 pages). Papers will not be read if they contain fewer than 900 words, not will they be read if they are more than 1100 words (I am serious about this; there has to be a limit somewhere, so the bounds will be enforced) You must craft your arguments to fit into the word limit.
How to Reference "Language Learning One of the Major Debates" Thesis in a Bibliography
“Language Learning One of the Major Debates.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/language-learning-one/3667820. Accessed 6 Jul 2024.
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