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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/16148
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Nativism and neuroconstructivism in the explanation of Williams syndrome |
Author: | Gerrans, P. |
Citation: | Biology and Philosophy, 2003; 18(1):41-52 |
Publisher: | Kluwer Academic Publ |
Issue Date: | 2003 |
ISSN: | 0169-3867 1572-8404 |
Statement of Responsibility: | P. Gerrans |
Abstract: | Nativists about syntactic processing have argued that linguistic processing, understood as the implementation of a rule-based computational architecture, is spared in Williams syndrome, (WMS) subjects – and hence that it provides evidence for a genetically specified language module. This argument is bolstered by treating Specific Language Impairments (SLI) and WMS as a developmental double dissociation which identifies a syntax module. Neuroconstructivists have argued that the cognitive deficits of a developmental disorder cannot be adequately distinguished using the standard gross behavioural tests of neuropsychology and that the linguistic abilities of the WMS subject can be equally well explained by a constructivist strategy of neural learning in the individual, with linguisitic functions implemented in an associationist architecture. The neuroconstructivist interpretation of WMS undermines the hypothesis of a double dissociation between SLI and WMS, leaving unresolved the question of nativism about syntax. The apparent linguistic virtuosity of WMS subjects is an artefact of enhanced phonological processing, a fact which is easier to demonstrate via the associationist computational model embraced by neuroconstructivism. |
Keywords: | Nativism neuroconstructivism Williams syndrome specific language impairment |
Description: | The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com |
DOI: | 10.1023/A:1023396800448 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/a:1023396800448 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 2 Philosophy publications |
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