Under the Affective Filter Hypothesis, what effect would a low affective filter have on language input processing?

Under the Affective Filter Hypothesis, what effect would a low affective filter have on language input processing?

• A. Input processing decreases
• B. Input processing increases
• C. No effect
• D. Only reading improves

Answer: (B)

A low affective filter means emotional barriers to learning are minimized, so the learner is more open to language input. When anxiety is reduced and motivation and self-confidence are higher, the learner can attend to and interpret new language more easily. With these emotional barriers lowered, a larger portion of the incoming language becomes comprehensible and available for processing, so input processing increases. If the emotional barrier were high, input would be more likely to be blocked or misinterpreted, and processing would not rise. It’s not limited to just reading; affective factors influence all language input, so lowering the filter boosts overall processing of the new language.

A low affective filter means emotional barriers to learning are minimized, so the learner is more open to language input. When anxiety is reduced and motivation and self-confidence are higher, the learner can attend to and interpret new language more easily. With these emotional barriers lowered, a larger portion of the incoming language becomes comprehensible and available for processing, so input processing increases. If the emotional barrier were high, input would be more likely to be blocked or misinterpreted, and processing would not rise. It’s not limited to just reading; affective factors influence all language input, so lowering the filter boosts overall processing of the new language.