language, thought and communication (paper 2)

• schema 


  a mental framework of beliefs/expectations that influence cognitive processing - we are born with some but they develop in complexity with experience of the world
• Sapir-whorf hypothesis 


  this theory believes that the language a person speaks has a great influence on the way they think + perceive

  • weak version: language effects what we perceive and remember
  • strong version: language determines thought, we are unable to think about things we do not have words for.
• animal communication 


  the exchange of info between animals within a species using a variety of signals (can be vocal, visual or invoke smell)
• language 


  a communication system unique to humans - a set of arbitrary conventional symbols with meaning
• eye contact 


  when 2 people look into each other's eyes at the same time

  • it regulates the flow of communication
  • signals attraction
  • expresses emotion
• non-verbal communication 


  exchanging info without using words

  • eye contact
  • facial expressions
  • body language
• verbal communication 


  the use of words to express your thoughts and how you feel
• body language 


  when attitudes and feelings are communicated through unspoken movements and gestures
• closed posture 


  having your arms/legs crossed - this suggests the person is in disagreement with what is being said, or possibly annoyed
• open posture 


  a relaxed posture - this suggests someone is listening in a social interaction and is agreeing with what is being said
• postural echo 


  a similarity or mirroring of body positions by people in a social interaction - suggests 2 people are getting on well
• culture 


  the beliefs/expectations that surround us - we are not conscious of living in this (just as fish are unaware that it lives in water)
• gender 


  a person's sense of male or femaleness, includes attitudes and behaviour
• personal space 


  an invisible portable 'bubble' that surrounds each individual - the size of the bubble depends who we are with
• status 


  social or professional position
• adaptive 


  any physical or psychological characteristic that enhances an individual's survival and reproduction
• evolutionary theory 


  explains how species have adapted to their environment over millions of years
• innate 


  'born with' - genetic factors
• neonate

  new born babies
• sensory deprived 


  an animal or human that does not have a particular sensory ability (e.g. hearing, seeing)
• cultural differences in personal space 


  warmer countries = stand closer together

  cooler countries = stand further away
• gender differences in personal space 


  men = when talking to friends they prefer to sit opposite one another

  women = when talking to friends prefer to sit side by side to each other
• status differences in personal space 


  equal/similar status = closer personal space

  unequal status = stand further away