The process of obtaining or using knowledge

Involvs perception, thinking, knowing, remembering, categorizing, and problem solving

A system of symbols that is used to communicate information and knowledge

It is a cultural tool

Linguistic relativity

Language structures thinking such that people who speak different languages think about and experience the world differently

In English vs. Navajo, English states "I rode a horse", versus Navajo, which states "the horse and I were moving about". 

Hunancas, individuals living in Junin region of Peru, do not have words describing mental states

False-belief tasks: The ribbon example

Theory of Mind task: the "hiding the doll" example

Dialect of english spoken by blacks in the US. 

Reduction in diphthongs (e.g. boil sounds like "ball")

Dropping "...ing" to "...in'"

S-cluster metathesis - changing letter sounds in a word (ask becomes axe)

Often viewed negatively

Many critics are black (Bill Cosby)

Used in school

When Japanese parents are playing with their kids, they are more expressive, and are more responsive while playing, versus American parents being more reactive when playing with a physical objet.  This stresses interdependence versus dependence.

Mandarin children have fewer nouns and more verbs than American children

The theory that a "sensitive period" exists.

This period lasts a specific number of years during which a second language can be learned as easily and as well as the primary language.  However, after the period is over, the learner will have greater difficulty being able to acquire a second language to the extent as they did their native language

Natural Settings:  Learning a second language after immigrating, second language serves as an official language, parents speak two different lagnuages

Educational setting: formal setting instruction takes place

Are Natural settings better?  Educational settings can actually be better if they involve immersion

Phonetic Language:  Each symbol represents a sound rather than a concept.  Symbols are combined to create the word

Logographic language: each symbol has meaning.  Think of "X" in Roman Numerals.  The "pronunciation" of the word is less important than the meaning of the word.

Binet - Judgment/ "Good sense"

Hernstein and Murray - Cognitive ability

Fluid Intelligence - ability to form concepts, reason abstractly, and apply material to new situations.  Biological?  Uninfluenced by culuture?

Crystal Intelligence - accumulated knolwedge or experience.  Driven by culture.

Explaining differences between people. 

Heritability of IQ is about 75%

A 2003 study that looked at impoverished families found that close to 0% of variation is attributed to genes

Research from the 60's and 70's that studied transition from pre-operational to formal operations across cultures

Found that children in developing countries performed worse

HOWEVER, problems with the research included:

Language-based studies conducted by researchers had little understanding of language or culture

Standardized tests versus Piaget's method of clinical interviews

Accurate birth dates are not avaliable for many children - some estimates off by 2 years

Research in New Guinea, Rwanda, and Nigera showed few adolescents passing conservation tasks