Critical Period Hypothesis

Definition

The critical period hypothesis suggests that there is a specific window of time during which language acquisition occurs most easily and effectively, typically believed to be from birth until puberty. Outside of this period, acquiring language becomes significantly more difficult, often resulting in incomplete mastery. This hypothesis has implications for understanding how children learn languages and the neurological factors that facilitate this process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Research indicates that children who are exposed to language before the age of seven are more likely to achieve native-like proficiency compared to those who start learning later.
2. Studies involving feral children, such as Genie, highlight the difficulties faced in language learning after the critical period has passed.
3. The critical period hypothesis is supported by observations of how second language learners often struggle to attain fluency if they begin learning after adolescence.
4. Neuroscientific evidence shows that certain areas of the brain are more plastic during early childhood, facilitating easier language learning.
5. Bilingual children often show cognitive advantages in tasks requiring executive function, especially when both languages are acquired during the critical period.

Review Questions

• How does the critical period hypothesis explain differences in language acquisition among individuals who begin learning a language at different ages?
  • The critical period hypothesis explains that individuals who start learning a language during the critical period, typically before puberty, are more likely to achieve fluency and native-like pronunciation. This is because the brain is more adaptable and responsive to language input during early development. In contrast, those who begin learning a language after this period often struggle with aspects such as accent and grammar, which can hinder their overall proficiency.
• What evidence supports the critical period hypothesis, particularly in cases of individuals who missed this window for language exposure?
  • Evidence supporting the critical period hypothesis comes from cases of individuals like Genie, who was isolated and deprived of linguistic interaction during her childhood. After her rescue at age 13, she struggled to learn language fully, illustrating the limitations imposed by missing the critical window. Additionally, studies on second language learners show that those who start learning later often have difficulty achieving full fluency, reinforcing the idea that early exposure is crucial for optimal language development.
• Evaluate how neuroplasticity plays a role in the critical period hypothesis and its implications for educational practices regarding language teaching.
  • Neuroplasticity is essential to the critical period hypothesis because it describes how the brain's structure and function can change in response to experiences. During early childhood, heightened neuroplasticity allows for easier acquisition of language skills as the brain forms connections based on exposure to linguistic input. This has important implications for educational practices; it suggests that introducing second languages in early childhood could enhance fluency and ease of learning. Programs that leverage this understanding can create more effective curricula that align with natural developmental windows.

Related terms

Sensitive Period:

A timeframe in development during which an individual is particularly receptive to certain stimuli or experiences, though not as rigidly defined as a critical period.

Neuroplasticity:

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which is essential during the critical period for language acquisition.

First Language Acquisition: The process by which infants and young children naturally acquire their native language, heavily influenced by the environment and interactions with caregivers.