The Importance of Language

While learning about how infants develop their perceptions of the physical world and perceive objects, Elizabeth Spelke introduces the notion that language is not necessarily vital in expressing ones knowledge of the physical world. She writes that “one need only observe objects and their motions; one need not articulate the principles of ones theory or communicate with others about it” (Spelke, 181). However, after making the above mentioned statement she goes on to recognize that language is critical in a child’s development. My question is how important is language in conveying ones knowledge and understanding?
Spelke’s research has focused on “the ability of young infants to organize the perpetual world into physical objects” (Spelke, 168). In order to obtain results she utilizes the fact the only motor responses that infants can control is looking. Basing her inferences on the fundamental insight that infants looking behavior is both organized and selective. One of the main findings of her research is that infants perceive the world in terms of physical bodies. They then use this to infer about, and make predictions regarding physical events.
We have learned in class that there has been a great deal of research into infants perceptual development. However, I still question if it is accurate for us to infer about an infants cognitive ability based on their looking behavior. In some cases I feel it might seem a little far stretched to draw such conclusions and make those suggestions. It makes sense to think that a person doesn’t have to articulate or physically speak in order to show that they understand a particular concept or theory, but being able to articulate your thoughts is a large part of learning and conveying to others that you’re learning. In Spelke’s research for example how do we know that the infants weren’t paying more attention to an object just because it was more interesting and intriguing? From personal experience with my 2 year old niece I have found that she will stare at an object but just out of pure curiosity. She doesn’t speak often and knows very few words. Based on her behavior it appears she doesn’t fully understand what she is staring at because later she will point and attempt to ask about it.
All of the information, readings and lectures, we have discussed in class has allowed me to actively look and understand the behaviors of the infants and children that are around me. I am able to take the material learned in this class and use it for real world applications. I am interested in seeing how this particular research progresses, especially with advances in the understanding of brain activity and fMRI’s.