The Principles and Parameters Theory Suggests That Children Have the Ability

question 17

Multiple Choice

The principles and parameters theory suggests that children have the ability to learn any language because

• A) they are born with innate expectations that constrain their learning of grammar.
• B) of the adaptive nature of human cognition.
• C) the linguistic input from ordinary interactions with fluent speakers provides enough data to form syntactic heuristics.
• D) the bottom-up nature of language acquisition allows children to learn useful generalizations and categorize words as they develop.

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Definitions:

Utility-maximizing Combination

is a selection of goods and services that provides the highest level of satisfaction or utility to an individual, given their budget constraints.

Total Utility

The total satisfaction received from consuming a particular amount of goods or services.

Technological Advance

The process of developing and applying new technologies and innovations, improving methods of production, efficiency, and creating new products or services.

Diffusion

The process through which innovations, cultural norms, ideas, technologies, or products spread within and across societies over time.