Purchase Solution

Genie "Wild Child" and Language Acquisition

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

What does Genie's case tell us about the nature vs nurture debate regarding language acquisition?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The documentary "Secret of the Wild Child" introduces us to a girl named Genie who was raised with virtually no human contact. In this article, I look at the transcripts of the documentary and discuss how Genie's situation may have affected her ability to acquire language.

Solution Preview

The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the most enduring in the field of psychology. In the nature vs. nurture debate, "nature" refers to the things a child is born with. DNA, genes, physical appearance, personality, disposition, and heredity are all part of nature. "Nurture" refers to how the child was raised. Things like environment, routines, expectations of family members and friends, and diet are all part of nurture. Today, it is commonly accepted that most aspects of a child's development are a combination of both nurture and nature.

The story of Genie is hauntingly sad, but it also can teach us about the effects of nature and nurture on a child. When Genie was first discovered by ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Theories of Work Motivation

This quiz tests the student's understanding of the major theories of work motivation from an organizational behavior perspective.

Abnormal Psychology

This quiz will explore the faucets of abnormal psychology, from the question of what is abnormal, to the intricacies of DSM diagnosable disorders.

V Axis Diagnostic Tool

It's important for all therapists to know what the V Axis Diagnostic tool is and how to use it. This quiz should be taken by learners who are not familiar with the V Axis Diagnostic Tool or who need to refresh their knowledge.

Positive Psychology

A quiz related to the introductory concepts of positive psychology.

Brain and behaviour

Reviews areas of the brain involved in specific behaviours. This information is important for introductory psychology courses.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Factors important in language acquisition

    342801 Which factor is most important in language acquisition? There is an interesting - but terribly sad - case of a girl named Genie, who had no exposure to language for the first 10 years of her life.

  • Early experiences and critical periods

    As a case in point, an interesting example is the case of Genie, also known as "The Wild Child".

  • Critical periods in language acquisition

    Genie was severly maltreated as a child, was not allowed to speak and not spoken to, and was left basically isolated in a small room until she was about 12 years old. When she was discovered by the authorities, she could not use language.

  • Critical and sensitive periods in development

    There are stories of children who were not exposed to language in early childhood and never developed normal language skills, even though people tried to teach them language later in life (try googling 'Genie wild child' to read about an interesting case

  • Nature/nurture and language

    262876 Nature/nurture and language Are we to assume that the acquisition of language can not be complete without both the genetics and the environment? If so, if one part is missing, can we acquire language in some form? How so?

  • Adler - Social Interest Inherent

    As well, more recently, Genie is a modern-day "wild child" who, until discovery at the age of 13, had lived in a state of severe sensory and social deprivation.

  • Language Acquisition

    When the child grows up where English is spoken, that child then learns the English language.

  • The Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

    ., Flynn, S. and Martohardjono, G. (1996) Second language acquisition: Theoretical and experimental issues in contemporary research. Brain and Behavior Sciences 19, 677-758.

  • Three language aquisition theories

    listening reading and speech and when the child is ready he will begin language production.

View More Related Solutions