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THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLINGUISTICS IN UNDERSTANDING HUMAN
PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
Раимова Камола Бахрамовна
старший преподаватель ТИУ
E-mail:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13841208
Abstract. The article discusses the Role of Psycholinguistics in Understanding Human
Psychology and Social Interaction. This article analyzes the role of psycholinguistics in
understanding human psychology and how language processes contribute to social interactions.
Keywords: Psycholinguistics, language acquisition, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, social
interaction, cognition, emotion, social psychology.
РОЛЬ ПСИХОЛИНГВИСТИКИ В ПОНИМАНИИ ПСИХОЛОГИИ ЧЕЛОВЕКА И
СОЦИАЛЬНОГО ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ
Аннотация. В статье речь идёт, Роль психолингвистики в понимании человеческой
психологии и социального взаимодействия. В статье анализируется психолингвистика в
понимании человеческой психологии и того, как языковые процессы способствуют
социальным взаимодействиям.
Ключевые слова: Психолингвистика, усвоение языка, гипотеза Сапира-Уорфа,
социальное взаимодействие, когниция, эмоции, социальная психология.
1. Introduction
Psycholinguistics merges the realms of psychology and linguistics to study how humans
acquire, process, and understand language, and how language shapes cognitive processes and
social interactions. The field investigates the relationship between language and thought, aiming
to uncover how linguistic structure influences cognitive functions and social behaviors.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial, as language is the primary medium through which
humans interact, express emotions, and engage in complex social systems.
The article also focuses on exploring how psycholinguistics offers a lens through which
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human psychology and social interactions can be better understood. Specifically, we analyze the
linguistic processes underlying cognitive functions, language's role in emotional regulation, and
the way language structures influence social interactions.
2. Language and Cognition
According to research one of the most well-known theories in psycholinguistics is the
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis,
or the linguistic relativity theory, which posits that the structure of a
language affects its speakers' worldview or cognition. Sapir and Whorf suggested that language
shapes not only how individuals communicate but also how they perceive and categorize their
environment (Whorf, 1956). This hypothesis has been extensively debated and tested, with
researchers like Kay and Kempton (1984) finding that language does influence color perception
and spatial cognition.
Cognitive Linguistics,
an approach that views language as embedded in the totality of
human cognitive capacities, further underscores the role of language in shaping thought.
According to Lakoff and Johnson (1980), metaphors are central to human cognition, structuring
not only language but also how individuals conceptualize abstract thoughts. For example, abstract
concepts such as time are often framed metaphorically as a physical entity (e.g., “saving time,”
“wasting time”), which shapes how individuals cognitively process time.
Language and cognition are inseparable, as psycholinguistic research consistently shows
that the language individuals use reflects their thought processes. Whether in terms of how
different cultures perceive the world through language or how children learn to categorize objects,
psycholinguistic studies highlight that cognition and language development are tightly interwoven.
3. Language and Emotion
Language is crucial in the expression, regulation, and perception of emotions. From a
psycholinguistic perspective, emotional states are often shaped and influenced by linguistic
expression. For instance,
emotion regulation
is partly achieved through language, as people use
self-talk to manage their feelings (Gross, 2002). In social settings, emotions are communicated
through speech, and the choice of words can significantly influence the interpretation of an
emotional message (Barrett et al., 2007). Studies suggest that bilinguals often express different
emotional intensities in their respective languages, with individuals reporting that their first
language carries a greater emotional weight (Pavlenko, 2005). This phenomenon underscores the
intertwined nature of language and emotion, where emotional experiences are filtered through
cultural and linguistic lenses. Psycholinguistics thus provides valuable insights into how language
mediates emotional experience.
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4. Social Interaction and Communication
Language is the foundation of
social interaction,
allowing humans to convey ideas,
express identity, and negotiate relationships. Psycholinguistics reveals that the structure and
context of language significantly impact social dynamics, including power relations, group
identity, and intergroup communication.
Language not only facilitates communication but also plays a critical role in
identity
formation
and group membership. According to
Social Identity Theory
(Tajfel & Turner, 1986),
language serves as a marker of social identity, where individuals align with specific linguistic
patterns or dialects that correspond to their social groups. Furthermore, linguistic choices can
reflect social power dynamics, where dominant groups often impose their language or dialect as
the norm, marginalizing non-dominant groups.
Research also shows that linguistic misunderstandings can have profound consequences
for social interactions. Pragmatics, the study of language in use, examines how
contextual factors
such as tone, formality, and social norms influence meaning. Misinterpretations in these areas can
lead to communication breakdowns, impacting relationships and social cohesion (Levinson, 1983).
5. Conclusion
Psycholinguistics offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how language
influences cognitive processes, emotional expression, and social interactions. By examining
theories like the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, nativist and social interactionist approaches to language
acquisition, and the role of language in emotion and social identity, psycholinguistics illuminates
the profound ways in which language shapes human psychology and society. Language is not
merely a tool for communication; it is a reflection of cognitive and emotional states and a critical
element in social identity and interaction. Future research in psycholinguistics may further explore
how evolving digital communication mediums impact these complex interactions.
REFERENCES
1.
Barrett, L. F., Lindquist, K. A., & Gendron, M. (2007). Language as context for the
perception of emotion. *Trends in Cognitive Sciences*, 11(8), 327-332.
2.
Bruner, J. (1983). *Child’s Talk: Learning to Use Language*. New York: W.W. Norton &
Company.
3.
Chomsky, N. (1959). A review of B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior. *Language*, 35(1),
26-58.
4.
Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences.
*Psychophysiology*, 39(3), 281-291.
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5.
Kay, P., & Kempton, W. (1984). What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? *American
Anthropologist*, 86(1), 65-79.
