Sensitive period hypothesis

Definition

The sensitive period hypothesis suggests that there are optimal time frames during which individuals can most easily acquire certain skills or knowledge, particularly language. This concept posits that outside of these periods, the ability to learn may diminish significantly, impacting language development and acquisition. Understanding this hypothesis helps explain phenomena related to critical periods of language learning and the effects of language attrition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sensitive period hypothesis emphasizes that language learning is most effective during early childhood, particularly before the age of puberty.
2. Research shows that children who are exposed to a second language during their sensitive period tend to achieve native-like proficiency compared to those who learn later in life.
3. The concept is closely tied to neuroplasticity, as young brains are more adaptable and better suited for learning languages during sensitive periods.
4. Language attrition often highlights the impact of the sensitive period hypothesis, as adults who learned a language during their sensitive period may experience less attrition compared to those who learned it later.
5. The sensitive period hypothesis can also apply to other skills, such as music or social behaviors, indicating broader implications for skill acquisition beyond just language.

Review Questions

• How does the sensitive period hypothesis explain differences in language acquisition between children and adults?
  • The sensitive period hypothesis illustrates that children are biologically predisposed to acquire languages more easily than adults due to increased neuroplasticity and optimal brain development during early life. As a result, children can learn languages with greater fluency and accuracy when exposed to them during these critical years. In contrast, adults often face challenges in achieving native-like proficiency because their brains are less adaptable and the optimal learning conditions have passed.
• Discuss the implications of the sensitive period hypothesis on educational practices for language teaching.
  • Understanding the sensitive period hypothesis informs educational practices by highlighting the importance of early exposure to second languages. It suggests that starting language education at a younger age could lead to better long-term outcomes in fluency and retention. Educational systems might adapt curricula to capitalize on this sensitive period by incorporating immersive and engaging methods that align with children's natural ability to acquire languages effortlessly.
• Evaluate how language attrition supports or contradicts the sensitive period hypothesis through real-life examples.
  • Language attrition provides strong support for the sensitive period hypothesis as it shows that individuals who learned a language during their optimal learning phase tend to retain their skills better than those who learned later. For example, a bilingual child who grows up in a multilingual environment may maintain fluency in both languages into adulthood, whereas an adult who begins learning a second language after their sensitive period may lose proficiency if they do not actively use it. Such observations underline how early exposure impacts long-term language retention, reinforcing the idea that critical developmental windows exist for language skills.

Related terms

Critical Period Hypothesis:

The theory that there is a specific window in early life during which the acquisition of language is most efficient and effective, after which learning becomes much more challenging.

Language Acquisition: The process by which individuals learn a language, typically involving both the understanding and production of linguistic forms.

Language Attrition: The gradual loss of language proficiency that can occur when an individual stops using a language regularly, often linked to the sensitive periods during which language skills were acquired.