Expectations

Definition

Expectations refer to the beliefs or assumptions about what will happen in a given situation, influencing how individuals perceive and interpret sensory information. In the context of speech perception and production, expectations can shape how we anticipate the sounds and meanings of words based on context, prior knowledge, and social cues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Expectations play a crucial role in how we understand spoken language, allowing us to fill in gaps when speech is unclear or distorted.
2. Listeners often use contextual information and their prior knowledge to create expectations about what they are likely to hear, which can enhance comprehension.
3. In speech production, speakers may adjust their articulation based on their expectations about their listeners' understanding and knowledge of the topic.
4. Research shows that when expectations are violated (e.g., an unexpected sound), it can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the spoken message.
5. Expectations can also affect memory recall for spoken information, with individuals more likely to remember details that align with their expectations.

Review Questions

• How do expectations influence speech perception, particularly in understanding unclear or distorted speech?
  • Expectations significantly influence speech perception by allowing listeners to fill in gaps when speech is unclear. For example, when we hear a muffled conversation, our brains use previous knowledge and contextual clues to anticipate what words or phrases might be spoken. This top-down processing helps us make sense of ambiguous sounds, enabling better comprehension even when the auditory input isn't perfect.
• Discuss the role of contextual cues in forming expectations during speech production and how they might affect communication effectiveness.
  • Contextual cues are vital in shaping expectations during speech production as they inform speakers about the listener's background knowledge and interests. When speakers anticipate their audience's understanding, they may adjust their language complexity or provide additional explanations. This alignment between speaker intentions and listener expectations enhances communication effectiveness and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings.
• Evaluate the impact of violated expectations on speech perception and memory recall in communicative contexts.
  • When expectations are violated in speech perception, such as encountering an unexpected sound or word, it can disrupt understanding and lead to confusion. This disruption may cause listeners to struggle with processing the intended message fully. Additionally, memory recall for spoken information can be negatively affected when details do not align with previously formed expectations, resulting in a greater likelihood of forgetting or misremembering information. This interplay highlights the importance of expectations in both comprehension and memory within communication.

Related terms

Top-down processing: A cognitive process that uses pre-existing knowledge and experiences to interpret sensory information, heavily influenced by expectations.

Contextual cues: Information from the surrounding environment or situation that helps individuals form expectations about what they will hear or say.

Speech segmentation: The process of identifying the boundaries between words in spoken language, which can be affected by listeners' expectations about word structure and meaning.