Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
05:35
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
Published on: April 19, 2017
Contributions of infant word learning to language development.
1Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Walnut Street 302C, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. swingley@psych.upenn.edu
Summary
Infants learn word forms from speech, aiding language development. These word forms support early syntax, vocabulary growth, and phonetic category learning in infants.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Infants acquire language through auditory input.
- The role of word form perception in early language acquisition is not fully understood.
- Early word recognition is crucial for subsequent linguistic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the significance of word forms in infant language learning.
- To investigate how infants utilize word forms for linguistic development.
- To propose the role of word forms in phonetic category acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature on infant speech perception.
- Theoretical framework development on word form processing in infants.
- Hypothesizing the impact of word forms on syntactic and phonetic development.
Main Results:
- Infants' perception of word forms is integral to language acquisition.
- Word forms guide infants toward understanding syntax.
- Word forms contribute to lexicon expansion and phonetic categorization.
Conclusions:
- The forms of words are meaningful for infants, even at early stages.
- Understanding word forms is a foundational aspect of early language development.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of word form processing in infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Language Development
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
01:21The Nativist Approach
The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:24Components of Language
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...