The period during development in which an organism can be permanently altered by a particular experience or treatment

New York University

There appears to be a critical period for language acquisition early in life. During this period, the proficiency at acquiring language is maximal; generally, as people age, the ease with which they acquire and master new languages diminishes.

Critical Period for Language Acquisition

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Sensitive period

The case of Genie is a significant study on the impact of extreme environmental deprivation. Discovered at age 13 after a decade of severe isolation, Genie was unable to speak or stand. Following her rescue, her abilities improved, and she managed to acquire an impressive vocabulary in a relatively short time. However, she never mastered the grammatical aspects of language. This specific difficulty with grammar, despite her vocabulary growth, is often cited as evidence for the critical period for language acquisition, suggesting that the opportunity to learn fundamental language structure may be lost if missed in early childhood.

The Case of Genie: A Study in Language Deprivation

Analyze the following scenario and explain the most likely reason for the difference in language proficiency between the two individuals, based on developmental principles.

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