Who was B.F. Skinner and what theory did he represent?
American psychologist (1957), is a key figure in Behaviourism.
What is operant conditioning?
Behaviour that is spontaneous but the concequences of which will affect feature behavior.
What did Skinner argue about how children learn language?
Children learn through imitation and operant conditioning (reinforcement).
Difference between positive and negative reinforcement in language learning?
• Positive = praised for accurate speech → more likely to repeat.
• Negative = corrected or not praised → less likely to repeat.
What is a problem with Skinner’s theory?
- Caregivers rarely correct grammar and focus more on the truth of utterances.
- Children resist correction.
Why does imitation theory struggle to explain child speech?
Children don’t suddenly produce perfect Standard English; they gradually refine language.
What did Noam Chomsky argue about language learning?
Noam Chomsky (1960s) argued that humans have an innate ability to learn language through a Language Acquisition Device (LAD).
What is “universal grammar”?
The idea that all humans share an inborn system that allows learning of grammar in any language.
What are “virtuous errors”?
Logical mistakes children make (e.g., swimmed), showing they apply rules—not just imitate.
What’s a key criticism of Chomsky’s LAD?
It downplays the role of caregivers and social interaction in language development.
What evidence challenges LAD?
Children deprived of interaction never fully catch up with language acquisition.
What did Piaget believe about language and cognition?
Piaget (1936) believed that a child’s cognitive development must come first; language reflects conceptual understanding.
What are the 4 stages in Pagiet’s cognitive development theory?
Sensorimotor
Pre-operational
Concrete-operational
Formal-operational
What is the Sensorimotor stage (0–2 years)?
Child interacts with environment using senses/movement; develops object permanence; egocentric.
What is the Pre-operational stage (2–6/7 years)?
Child learns to speak, develops imagination, still egocentric, asks questions.
What is the Concrete Operational stage (6/7–11/12 years)?
Child loses egocentrism, understands others’ viewpoints, develops logical thought.
What is the Formal Operational stage (11/12+ years)?
Child can think logically and abstractly without issues.
Example of Piaget’s link between cognition and language?
Comparative adjectives (small, smaller, smallest) only used after child understands size/scale.
What did Bruner argue was essential for language learning?
Bruner (1963) argued that interaction with caregivers was essential for language learning—Language Acquisition Support System (LASS).
What is scaffolding in Bruner’s theory?
Caregivers support and guide a child’s language, gradually reducing help as competence grows.
How does Bruner’s view differ from Skinner’s?
Bruner focused on quality input and support instead of just reinforcement.
Example of LASS in action?
Caregiver corrects “horse” → explains it’s a zebra → child refines word use.
Who is the “more knowledgeable other”?
Vygotsky (1970s) described the MKO as an adult/older peer who helps a child learn beyond their current ability.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
Language just beyond a child’s current vocabulary.
