Question

What conclusions can be drawn from the research conducted on Genie, a 13-year-old who had been locked away by her father and deprived of normal human contact?

1) Genie's lack of human contact severely impacted her ability to develop language skills.
2) Genie's cognitive development was significantly delayed due to her isolation.
3) Genie's case provided valuable insights into the critical period for language acquisition.
4) Genie's experiences highlight the importance of early socialization for normal development.

Answer 1

Genie's social and linguistic development was drastically impaired due to her isolation, highlighting the importance of early, normal human interaction for language acquisition and overall development.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conclusions that can be drawn from the research conducted on Genie emphasize the severe impacts of isolation on human development, particularly concerning the acquisition and development of linguistic skills and social behaviors. Genie's lack of normal human contact severed her from essential growth experiences, causing significant deficiencies in language and cognitive skills. Notably, despite an expanded vocabulary, she struggled with grammar, illustrating that early socialization and exposure to language during a critical period are vital for the complete acquisition and utilization of language.

Genie's case further provided insight into the developmental milestones of human growth, underlining the fact that the absence of a nurturing and socially interactive environment during crucial early years can lead to lifelong deficits. This had been observed both in her physical abilities, such as standing and chewing, as well as her cognitive and social capabilities. It reinforced the hypothesis that there is a critical period for language learning and that normal human interactions from infancy through early childhood are of paramount importance.