Abstract
The extreme version of the Whorfian hypothesis-that the language we learn determines how we view the world-has been soundly rejected by linguists and psychologists alike. However, more moderate versions of the idea that language may influence thought have garnered recent empirical support. This article defends 1 such view. I propose that language serves as a cognitive tool kit that allows us to represent and reason in ways that would be impossible without such a symbol system. I present evidence that learning and using relational language can foster relational reasoning-a core capacity of higher order cognition. In essence, language makes one smarter.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 650-657 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American Psychologist |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Language and cognition
- Relational learning
- Relational meaning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology