A mental image that incorporates the features we associate with a category (yellow lab, pure bred dog)
Estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind, we presume such events are common
Judging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead one to ignore other relevent information
Cognitive Error. Clinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited
Cognitive Error. A tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions
The ability to produce an endless number of meaningful sentences using a finite set of words and rules. Infinite generativity is something that all human languages share.
Early Stages of Language Development
The first year: Babbling, Receptive vs productive language, One-word stage
The second year: Rapid acceleration, Telegraphic speech, Overgeneralizing rules
Language Acquisition (Biological)
Noam Chomsky, Critical/sensitive period, Feral children, Second language
Theorist who believed that humans have an inborn or "native" propensity to develop language. (Native = Nature).
The nature of a particular language influences the habitual thought of its speakers. Language influences Thought. [Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis]
Language that is intended to be evasive or to conceal. Ex. "downsized" actually means fired or loss of job.
The use of masculine nouns and pronouns to refer to all human beings, instead of males alone