Human language is one of the most remarkable phenomena in nature. Unlike all other known forms of animal communication, language allows us to transmit virtually any kind of mental content: personal memories, ancient history, cultural traditions, imaginary worlds, complex plans, religious beliefs, mathematical proofs, moral norms, and explanations of ourselves and the universe we inhabit. The existence of language raises profound questions about the human mind and brain. What do we know when we know a language? How do we translate pressure waves in air into ideas, and vice versa? How can such a complex system be learned so quickly and universally by children? What's special about our brains that enables this to happen? What's the relationship of language to our broader capacities for thinking and social interaction? This course will introduce you to the ongoing scientific project to tackle these kinds of questions. You will both (1) become familiar with major psycholinguistic research questions and results, and (2) hone your scientific thinking about language and the human mind, developing skills necessary to identify both predictions made by psycholinguistic theories and experimental strategies for testing those predictions.
4 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Human language is one of the most remarkable phenomena in nature. Unlike all other known forms of animal communication, language allows us to transmit virtually any kind of mental content: personal memories, ancient history, cultural traditions, imaginary worlds, complex plans, religious beliefs, mathematical proofs, moral norms, and explanations of ourselves and the universe we inhabit. The existence of language raises profound questions about the human mind and brain. What do we know when we know a language? How do we translate pressure waves in air into ideas, and vice versa? How can such a complex system be learned so quickly and universally by children? What's special about our brains that enables this to happen? What's the relationship of language to our broader capacities for thinking and social interaction? This course will introduce you to the ongoing scientific project to tackle these kinds of questions. You will both (1) become familiar with major psycholinguistic research questions and results, and (2) hone your scientific thinking about language and the human mind, developing skills necessary to identify both predictions made by psycholinguistic theories and experimental strategies for testing those predictions.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.