The following text discusses linguistics.
Linguistic relativity in its moderate form proposes that language influences habitual thought patterns without fully determining thought. Languages differ in which distinctions they grammatically require speakers to make. Russian speakers must distinguish light blue from dark blue grammatically; English speakers need not. Studies show such obligatory distinctions affect perceptual speed and memory for the relevant domains. The effects are subtle—people can still perceive and conceptualize distinctions their language lacks—but language provides default framings that shape automatic cognition.
How does moderate linguistic relativity characterize language's effect on thought?
Language completely determines all possible thoughts
Language provides default framings that influence habitual cognition without determining it
Language has absolutely no effect on thinking
All languages make identical grammatical distinctions
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Moderate relativity proposes "language influences habitual thought patterns without fully determining thought" and that "language provides default framings that shape automatic cognition."
- Evidence: Influences without determining; default framings.
- Reasoning: Effects are real but not absolute.
- Conclusion: Influence on habitual thought, not determination.
Choice A is incorrect because effects are influence without full determination. Choice C is incorrect because perceptual speed and memory are affected. Choice D is incorrect because Russian and English differ in blue distinctions.