Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the purpose of "Child Directed Speech"?

1. To engage infants with soothing tones.

2. To develop language skills through high-pitched communication.

3. To distract infants during feeding times.

4. To reduce stress in the infant environment.

The correct answer is: To develop language skills through high-pitched communication.

The purpose of "Child Directed Speech" is best captured by the idea of developing language skills through high-pitched communication. This term refers to a specific way that caregivers interact with infants and young children, characterized by exaggerated intonation, slower tempo, and higher pitch. The use of this form of speech captures the child's attention and encourages them to engage more readily with the communication. As caregivers consistently speak to children in this way, it aids in language acquisition by emphasizing the sounds and structures of speech, making it easier for children to learn and mimic language patterns. This approach not only fosters language development but also helps with social bonding and emotional connection between the caregiver and the child, enhancing learning experiences during critical developmental stages. The other options, while they may have some truth in certain contexts, do not accurately represent the primary function of Child Directed Speech. Engaging infants with soothing tones may be a part of the phenomenon, but the emphasis on language development highlighted in the correct answer is more central. Distracting infants during feeding times or reducing stress in the infant environment are not the main objectives or recognized purposes of this type of speech.