Final answer:
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, suggests that language shapes how people see the world. It proposes that language influences our perception of reality and behavior, as different languages have unique words and expressions that affect interpretation. While the hypothesis does not completely determine thought, it remains an ongoing topic of exploration in psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The linguistic relativity principle, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that language has the power to shape the way people see the world. It proposes that people understand their world through the culture embedded in their language. For example, studies have shown that if a person cannot describe an experience using a particular word, they may not recognize that they are having that experience.
Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf, linguists in the 1920s, advanced this hypothesis. They believed that language shapes our perception of reality and behavior. They argued that every language has unique words or expressions that influence how we interpret reality. For instance, the number thirteen is associated with bad luck in the United States, whereas the number four is considered unlucky in Japan due to its pronunciation resembling the Japanese word for 'death'.
While the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis has been interpreted to suggest that language determines thought, this view is considered too absolute. However, psychologists continue to study and debate the relationship between language and thought.