Introduction to Psychology
Language & Problem Solving
Language is the communication system that relies on patterns and rules of symbols
● Arbitrary: symbols don’t match objects
● Purpose: convey information, socialize, emotion, art
Language Levels
Phonemes Morphemes Syntax Extralinguistic
Information
Phoneme is the Morpheme is the Set of rules to construct Non-verbal and
smallest contrastive unit smallest meaningful sentences. contextual cues that add
of sound in a language. unit in a language. meaning to language.
Phonemes are related to Morphemes are related
the sounds and to the meaning and
pronunciation of a structure of a language.
language.
○ English ○ Combination of English: Subject - Verb EXAMPLE: “Go clean
contains 40-45 phonemes - Object your room” can come
○ 100’s of ○ Re, -ed, -ing off differently
phonemes ○ Play, replay, “ The boy eats the depending on the voice
○ Bit = b/i/t played, playing apple.” tone.
EXAMPLE: “Cats”
Cat (morpheme 1) + s
(morpheme 2) = Cats
Regional Differences
Dialect: language variations used by a group of people who share geographic proximity or ethnic
background.
Language Development
Two Opposing Views
○ B.F. Skinner: Language learned through operant conditioning
○ Noam Chomsky: Language is biologically determined: Language acquisition device
Language & Problem Solving
Language is the communication system that relies on patterns and rules of symbols
● Arbitrary: symbols don’t match objects
● Purpose: convey information, socialize, emotion, art
Language Levels
Phonemes Morphemes Syntax Extralinguistic
Information
Phoneme is the Morpheme is the Set of rules to construct Non-verbal and
smallest contrastive unit smallest meaningful sentences. contextual cues that add
of sound in a language. unit in a language. meaning to language.
Phonemes are related to Morphemes are related
the sounds and to the meaning and
pronunciation of a structure of a language.
language.
○ English ○ Combination of English: Subject - Verb EXAMPLE: “Go clean
contains 40-45 phonemes - Object your room” can come
○ 100’s of ○ Re, -ed, -ing off differently
phonemes ○ Play, replay, “ The boy eats the depending on the voice
○ Bit = b/i/t played, playing apple.” tone.
EXAMPLE: “Cats”
Cat (morpheme 1) + s
(morpheme 2) = Cats
Regional Differences
Dialect: language variations used by a group of people who share geographic proximity or ethnic
background.
Language Development
Two Opposing Views
○ B.F. Skinner: Language learned through operant conditioning
○ Noam Chomsky: Language is biologically determined: Language acquisition device
