Space and language in Williams syndrome: insights from typical development
Barbara Landau1, Katrina Ferrara1
1Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
|May 20, 2014
Summary
Williams syndrome (WS) reveals complex gene-cognition links, challenging simple models. A prolonged developmental timetable better explains its unique spatial and language profile.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Neurogenetics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Williams syndrome (WS) offers insights into gene-cognition causal chains.
- WS presents a unique cognitive profile: severe spatial deficits alongside fluent language.
- Previous assumptions suggested genes could selectively target cognitive systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the cognitive profile of Williams syndrome.
- To challenge the inference of direct gene targeting of specific cognitive systems.
- To propose a new hypothesis for the WS cognitive profile based on developmental timing.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on Williams syndrome cognitive profile.
- Analysis of spatial and language development in WS.
- Comparison of WS development with typical trajectories.
- Formulation of a novel hypothesis integrating developmental timelines.
Main Results:
- The WS cognitive profile is more varied than previously thought, with nuances in spatial abilities.
- Language development in WS may also show unexpected limitations.
- Existing research often lacks context within typical developmental trajectories.
- A new hypothesis emphasizes a prolonged developmental timetable to explain the WS profile.
Conclusions:
- The inference that a few genes directly target single cognitive systems in WS is insufficient.
- A hypothesis centered on a prolonged developmental timetable offers a more comprehensive explanation for the WS cognitive profile.
- Understanding cognitive structure in typical and atypical development is crucial for gene-cognition research.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Language and Cognition
878
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.
878
01:22Language Development
1.1K
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...
1.1K
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
6.0K
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...
6.0K
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
2.0K
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
2.0K
01:24Components of Language
840
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.
840
01:28Lateralization
1.3K
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
1.3K