You'll explore how humans acquire, process, and use language. The course covers topics like language development, speech perception, reading, bilingualism, and language disorders. You'll also learn about the brain regions involved in language processing and how language shapes our thoughts and behaviors.

Is Psychology of Language hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're not used to scientific research methods. There's a lot of terminology to learn and some complex theories to wrap your head around. But if you're interested in how our brains handle language, it's totally manageable. Most students find it fascinating once they get into it.

Tips for taking Psychology of Language in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Create flashcards for key terms like "phonemes" and "morphemes"
Practice explaining concepts like the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis to friends
Watch TED Talks on language acquisition and processing
Read "The Language Instinct" by Steven Pinker for deeper insights
Join a study group to discuss complex theories
Apply concepts to your own language experiences
Check out the documentary "The Linguists" for real-world applications

Common pre-requisites for Psychology of Language

Introduction to Psychology: Covers the basics of human behavior and mental processes. You'll learn about different psychological theories and research methods.
Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on mental processes like attention, memory, and problem-solving. This class helps you understand how the brain processes information.
Statistics for Psychology: Teaches you how to analyze and interpret data from psychological studies. It's crucial for understanding research in psycholinguistics.

Classes similar to Psychology of Language

Neurolinguistics: Explores the neural basis of language processing. You'll learn about brain structures involved in language and how brain damage affects language abilities.
Sociolinguistics: Examines how social factors influence language use and structure. You'll study topics like dialects, language change, and linguistic prejudice.
Psycholinguistics: Focuses on the psychological and neurobiological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, and understand language. It's closely related to Psychology of Language but may go more in-depth.
Cognitive Neuroscience: Investigates the biological processes underlying cognition. You'll learn about brain imaging techniques and how they're used to study language processing.

Linguistics: Studies the nature and structure of language. Students learn about phonetics, syntax, semantics, and language acquisition.
Cognitive Science: Combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, and computer science to understand the mind. Students explore topics like artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling.
Speech and Language Pathology: Focuses on diagnosing and treating communication disorders. Students learn about speech and language development, disorders, and therapeutic techniques.
Neuroscience: Examines the structure and function of the nervous system. Students study brain anatomy, neurophysiology, and how the brain processes information, including language.

What can you do with a degree in Psychology of Language?

Speech-Language Pathologist: Diagnoses and treats communication and swallowing disorders in patients of all ages. They work in schools, hospitals, and private practices to help people improve their speech and language skills.
Researcher: Conducts studies on language processing, acquisition, or disorders. They might work in universities, research institutes, or for companies developing language-related technologies.
Linguistic Consultant: Advises companies on language-related issues, such as improving communication or developing language learning materials. They might work in fields like marketing, education, or artificial intelligence.
ESL Teacher: Teaches English to non-native speakers. They use their understanding of language acquisition to develop effective teaching strategies and materials.