Overview
This lecture covers the story of Genie Wiley, a child who experienced extreme isolation and abuse, and her case's impact on language development theories and research ethics.
Genie's Early Life and Discovery
- Genie Wiley spent her childhood locked in a room, isolated and abused until age 13.
- She was mostly tied to a potty chair and had virtually no human interaction.
- Her case was discovered by a social worker in Los Angeles in 1970.
Rehabilitation and Scientific Study
- After rescue, Genie was treated and studied by psychologists and language experts.
- Researchers observed severe developmental delays; Genie had the cognitive abilities of a 1-year-old.
- She quickly learned basic self-care but struggled significantly with language development.
- Competing interests between research and therapy led to conflicts among her caregivers.
Life After Study and Further Challenges
- Funding for Genie's care ended in 1974; she moved through various foster homes, experiencing more trauma.
- Genie's progress regressed due to further neglect and lack of consistent care.
- Lawsuits raised questions about the ethics of her treatment and research involvement.
Language Development and Theories
- Genie's case tested the "critical period hypothesis"—the idea there's a limited age window for language learning.
- Nativism suggests language is innate; empiricists argue it's shaped by environment.
- Genie's ability to learn individual words but not grammar supported the critical period theory.
Ethical Issues in Genie's Case
- Researchers often blurred roles of caretaker and scientist, raising conflict-of-interest and exploitation concerns.
- Genie's case is now studied for both its scientific insights and the ethical dilemmas it uncovered.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Critical Period — A limited time frame when language acquisition occurs most easily and fully.
- Nativism — The idea that the capacity for language is inborn.
- Language Acquisition Device (LAD) — Chomsky's proposed innate language learning mechanism.
- Empiricism — The belief that environment shapes language development.
- Ethical Dilemma — A situation requiring a choice between conflicting moral principles.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the concepts of the critical period hypothesis and language acquisition theories.
- Reflect on ethical considerations when conducting research with vulnerable individuals.