Test Bank
to accompany
Language in Mind: An Introduction to Psycholinguistics, Second Edition
Julie Sedivy
Chapter 2: Origins of Human Language
Multiple Choice
1. The theoretical perspective that humans’ ability to learn language is not the result of innate or
genetically based predisposition that evolved specifically for language, but an aspect of our
cognitive abilities, including general abilities of learning and memory is known as
a. anti-nativist theory.
b. linguistic theory.
c. psychodynamic theory.
d. evolutionary theory.
Answer: a
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
2. Which language researcher attempted to define language with 16 characteristics, or design
features, of spoken human language?
a. Chomsky
b. Hockett
c. Pinker
d. Darwin
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
3. Bees introduced into a hive of bee species different from their own will likely “dance”
according to
a. the new hive style.
b. their own unique style, unrelated to past experience.
c. the style of their own genetic ancestors.
d. a combination of old and new styles.
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
4. Which of Hockett’s design features of human language can also be attributed to honeybee
communication?
a. Arbitrariness
b. Duality of patterning
© 2019 Oxford University Press
to accompany
Language in Mind: An Introduction to Psycholinguistics, Second Edition
Julie Sedivy
Chapter 2: Origins of Human Language
Multiple Choice
1. The theoretical perspective that humans’ ability to learn language is not the result of innate or
genetically based predisposition that evolved specifically for language, but an aspect of our
cognitive abilities, including general abilities of learning and memory is known as
a. anti-nativist theory.
b. linguistic theory.
c. psychodynamic theory.
d. evolutionary theory.
Answer: a
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
2. Which language researcher attempted to define language with 16 characteristics, or design
features, of spoken human language?
a. Chomsky
b. Hockett
c. Pinker
d. Darwin
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
3. Bees introduced into a hive of bee species different from their own will likely “dance”
according to
a. the new hive style.
b. their own unique style, unrelated to past experience.
c. the style of their own genetic ancestors.
d. a combination of old and new styles.
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: 2.1 Why Us?
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering
4. Which of Hockett’s design features of human language can also be attributed to honeybee
communication?
a. Arbitrariness
b. Duality of patterning
© 2019 Oxford University Press
