Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

Infants younger than six months who have normal hearing can readily distinguish between acoustically similar sounds that are used as part of any language not only those used in the language spoken by the people who raise them. Young adults can readily distinguish between such sounds only in languages that they regularly use. It is known that the physiological capacity to hear begins to deteriorate after infancy. So the observed difference in the abilities of infants and young adults to distinguish between acoustically similar speech sounds must be the result of the physiological deterioration of hearing. The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument (A) sets an arbitrary cutoff point of six months for the age below which infants are able to distinguish acoustically similar speech sounds (B) does not explain the procedures used to measure the abilities of two very different populations (C) ignores the fact that certain types of speech sounds occur in almost all languages (D) assumes that what is true of a group of people taken collectively is also true of any individual within that group (E) takes a factor that might contribute to an explanation of the observed difference as a sufficient explanation for that difference

Short Answer

Expert verified
(E) takes a factor that might contribute to an explanation of the observed difference as a sufficient explanation for that difference

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Argument

The argument claims that infants can distinguish between acoustically similar sounds from any language, while adults can do so only for regularly used languages. It attributes this difference to the deterioration of hearing abilities after infancy.
02

Identify the Conclusion

The conclusion drawn in the argument is that the difference in ability between infants and adults is due to physiological hearing deterioration.
03

Examine the Flaw

The flaw here involves the assumption that hearing deterioration is the sole explanation for the observed difference in sound discrimination abilities between infants and adults.
04

Analyze the Options

Evaluate each option to determine which one identifies the flaw. Options (A) and (B) are about arbitrary cutoffs and methodology, which aren't relevant to the main logical issue. Option (C) is incorrect because commonality of some sounds does not address the flawed causal claim. Option (D) concerns generalization on an individual basis, unrelated to the argument's main logical error. Option (E) correctly identifies the flaw: mistaking a potential contributing factor (hearing deterioration) for a complete explanation.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sound Discrimination
Sound discrimination refers to the ability to distinguish between different sounds, even if they are very similar. This skill is essential for language development, as it helps in understanding and producing sounds correctly.
Infants have a remarkable ability to recognize subtle differences in sound. This is not confined to a single language but extends to all human languages.
Their ability to perceive these nuances is at its peak at this young age, which is crucial for language acquisition as they grow. Sound discrimination in infants is exceptionally high because they can discern between phonetic differences that they might never encounter in the language spoken around them. As they grow older, especially if exposed to only one or a few languages, they lose some of this ability, focusing more on the sounds relevant to their language environment.
Hence, infants are like linguistic sponges, ready to absorb a wide range of phonetic sounds from around the world.
Infant Learning
Infant learning is a critical phase where humans are exceptionally receptive to new information. During this period, infants learn primarily through observation and experimentation, often without explicit instruction.
They are adept at picking up patterns from their environment, and this includes the sounds they hear.
Their brains are wired to capture phonetic variations, which helps them in distinguishing similar sounds. The first year of life is when significant cognitive growth occurs. Babies learn not only the sounds of their native language but also recognize differences in other languages. This wide-ranging ability provides the foundation for future language skills.
As they interact with caregivers and their environment, infants continuously refine their sound discrimination abilities, setting the stage for language development and cognition.
Hearing Deterioration
Hearing deterioration typically begins subtly after infancy. This natural process involves a gradual decrease in auditory capacity, impacting the ability to distinguish between sounds over time. Although it starts early, noticeable effects on sound discrimination may become evident later in life.
This decline is a normal part of aging, affecting everyone to some degree. In the argument, hearing deterioration is presented as the main reason for the difference in sound discrimination abilities between infants and adults. However, this overlooks other factors, such as the focus adults place on the languages they regularly use, which plays a significant role.
While it's true that physiological changes contribute to decreased auditory capacity, it's important to consider how language exposure and usage can shape listening capabilities.
Argument Analysis
Argument analysis involves examining the structure of a logical statement to assess its validity. In this context, analyzing the argument helps understand the reasoning behind the claim that hearing deterioration is the sole factor in sound discrimination ability differences. The flaw in the argument lies in attributing the entirety of sound discrimination differences to hearing deterioration.
While this is part of the explanation, it is not sufficient alone. Factors such as language exposure and the brain's adaptation to commonly used sounds play significant roles. Identifying that the reasoning overlooks these factors, and instead makes a hasty generalization, is crucial.
Successful argument analysis identifies weak points, like the mistaken belief that hearing deterioration is the only cause, enabling more informed interpretations of complex issues.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Crimes in which handguns are used are more likely than other crimes to result in fatalities. However, the majority of crimes in which handguns are used do not result in fatalities. Therefore, there is no need to enact laws that address crimes involving handguns as distinct from other crimes. The pattern of flawed reasoning displayed in the argument above most closely resembles that in which one of the following? (A) Overweight people are at higher risk of developing heart disease than other people. However, more than half of all overweight people never develop heart disease. Hence it is unnecessary for physicians to be more careful to emphasize the danger of heart disease to their overweight patients than to their other patients. (B) Many people swim daily in order to stay physically fit. Yet people who swim daily increase their risk of developing ear infections. Hence people who want to remain in good health are better off not following fitness programs that include swimming daily. (C) Most physicians recommend a balanced diet for those who want to remain in good health. Yet many people find that nontraditional dietary regimens such as extended fasting do their health no serious harm. Therefore, there is no need for everyone to avoid nontraditional dietary regimens. (D) Foods rich in cholesterol and fat pose a serious health threat to most people. However, many people are reluctant to give up eating foods that they greatly enjoy. Therefore, people who refuse to give up rich foods need to spend more time exercising than do other people. (E) Many serious health problems are the result of dietary disorders. Yet these disorders are often brought about by psychological factors. Hence people suffering from serious health problems should undergo psychological evaluation.

The author uses the example of the Steadicam \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) primarily in order to suggest that (A) the filming of performances should not be limited by inadequate equipment (B) new technologies do not need to be very complex in order to benefit art (C) the interaction of a traditional art form with a new technology will change attitudes toward technology in general (D) the replacement of a traditional technology with a new technology will transform definitions of a traditional art form (E) new technology does not so much preempt as enhance a traditional art form

Certain instruments used in veterinary surgery can be made either of stainless steel or of nylon. In a study of such instruments, 50 complete sterilizations of a set of nylon instruments required \(3.4\) times the amount of energy used to manufacture that set of instruments, whereas 50 complete sterilizations of a set of stainless steel instruments required \(2.1\) times the amount of energy required to manufacture that set of instruments. If the statements above are true, each of the following could be true EXCEPT: (A) The 50 complete sterilizations of the nylon instruments used more energy than did the 50 complete sterilizations of the stainless steel instruments. (B) More energy was required for each complete sterilization of the nylon instruments than was required to manufacture the nylon instruments. (C) More nylon instruments than stainless steel instruments were sterilized in the study. (D) More energy was used to produce the stainless steel instruments than was used to produce the nylon instruments. (E) The total cost of 50 complete sterilizations of the stainless steel instruments was greater than the cost of manufacturing the stainless steel instruments.

English and the Austronesian language Mbarbaram both use the word "dog" for canines. These two languages are unrelated, and since speakers of the two languages only came in contact with one another long after the word "dog" was first used in this way in either language, neither language could have borrowed the word from the other. Thus this case shows that sometimes when languages share words that are similar in sound and meaning the similarity is due neither to language relatedness nor to borrowing. The argument requires that which one of the following be assumed? (A) English and Mbarbaram share no words other than "dog." (B) Several languages besides English and Mbarbaram use "dog" as the word for canines. (C) Usually when two languages share a word, those languages are related to each other. (D) There is no third language from which both English and Mbarbaram borrowed the word "dog." (E) If two unrelated languages share a word, speakers of those two languages must have come in contact with one another at some time.

Medical research findings are customarily not made public prior to their publication in a medical journal that has had them reviewed by a panel of experts in a process called peer review. It is claimed that this practice delays public access to potentially beneficial information that, in extreme instances, could save lives. Yet prepublication peer review is the only way to prevent erroneous and therefore potentially harmful information from reaching a public that is ill equipped to evaluate medical claims on its own. Therefore, waiting until a medical journal has published the research findings that have passed peer review is the price that must be paid to protect the public from making decisions based on possibly substandard research. The argument assumes that (A) unless medical research findings are brought to peer review by a medical journal, peer review will not occur (B) anyone who does not serve on a medical review panel does not have the necessary knowledge and expertise to evaluate medical research findings (C) the general public does not have access to the medical journals in which research findings are published (D) all medical research findings are subjected to prepublication peer review (E) peer review panels are sometimes subject to political and professional pressures that can make their judgments less than impartial

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on English Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free