Abstract
The current literature review offers a critical evaluation of the extent to which our native language determines the ways in which we conceptualise the external world. Experimental studies regarding colour perception, spatial cognition and spatial representation of events in time are examined. It is argued that the available evidence supports the hypothesis of (a flexible) linguistic relativity, instead of the linguistic determinism hypothesis. Moreover, it is suggested that the impact of language on thought is mediated by three pathways: (i) the intention of an individual to express their thoughts; (ii) the environmental and cultural context; and (iii) the ability of an individual to learn different modes of reasoning.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 74-77 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Journal of European Psychology Students |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Oct 2014 |