Thought and Language

  • Thinking - def
  • Core functions of thinking
  • Information processing system 
  • Mental chronometry
  • Reaction time…DV
  • Evoked brain potential, EEG…DV
  • Cognitive maps
  • Images
  • Types of concepts: artificial, natural
  • Scripts, schemas
  • Propositions and mental models
  • Algorithms
  • Syllogisms
  • Cultural differences in formal reasoning
  • Heuristics – strengths; problems
  • Problem-solving strategies
  • Obstacles to problem solving – mental sets, functional fixedness, etc.
  • Artificial intelligence (Al)
  • Expert v. novice problem solving
  • Multivariate decision making
  • Biases and flaws in decision making – loss aversion, etc.
  • Elements of language: phoneme, morpheme
  • Syntax
  • Semantics
  • Surface v. deep structure
  • Top-down processing in language
  • Stages of language development
  • Telegraphic speech
  • Role of learning in language development
  • Chomsky – LAD
  • Benefits of bilingualism
  • Whorfian hypothesis – how valid?