What theory suggests that differences in language create differences in thought?

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis is a theory in linguistic anthropology that posits that the structure and vocabulary of a language influence and shape how speakers think and perceive the world. This concept is often broken down into two main principles: linguistic relativism, which suggests that different languages create different cognitive frameworks, and linguistic determinism, which suggests that language limits or determines thought processes.

According to this hypothesis, speakers of different languages may perceive and understand their experiences in distinct ways based on the linguistic structures available to them. For example, a language that includes multiple words for 'snow' may enable its speakers to have a more nuanced understanding of snow-related concepts compared to a language that uses a single term. This illustrates how language can affect thought patterns, leading to variations in perception and cognition among speakers of different languages.

In contrast, the other theories mentioned focus on different areas: Cognitive Development Theory centers on how children develop reasoning and thought processes as they mature; Behavior Modification is centered around changing behavior through reinforcement; and Multiple Intelligences proposes that there are various forms of intelligence beyond traditional academic measures. None of these theories directly address the relationship between language and thought in the way that the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis does.