Glossary W

Whole-language approach refers to the method of reading instruction based on the notions that children do not need explicit phonics instruction to learn to read and that children will learn to read if they are surrounded by interesting print material. Whole-language approach is a top-down approach to teaching reading that emphasizes the readers' active construction of meaning; usually excludes the use of phonics.

Whole-object assumption refers to a word-learning constraint according to which children assume that a new word refers to a whole object, not to a part or property of an object; assumption that words refer to whole objects and not to their component parts or characteristics. Whole-object assumption is a type of lexical constraint in which children assume when hearing a word that it refers to the whole object and not to some part of that object.

Whorfian hypothesis is the the hypothesis that language influences thought and, therefore, that differences among languages might cause differences in the cognition of speakers of those languages. Whorfian hypothesis is also known as the Linguistic relativity Hypothesis.

Whorfian hypothesis of linguistic relativity refers to the idea that language constrains thought and perception, so that cultural differences in cognition could be explained at least partially by differences in language.

Why question refers to a type of information gathering technique in which a "Why" question is asked with the intent to have the client/patient delve deeply into self. However, with "Why questions", clients/patients usually feel defensive which should generally be avoided.

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