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Behaviorism vs. Nativism in Language Acquisition

The document compares the behaviourist and nativist theories of language acquisition. The behaviourist theory claims that language is learned through reinforcement and imitation without an innate capacity, while the nativist theory argues that humans have an innate predisposition and ability to learn language that allows us to acquire it as quickly as we do through interaction with the environment.

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Ana Mariel V. Samino
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1K views1 page

Behaviorism vs. Nativism in Language Acquisition

The document compares the behaviourist and nativist theories of language acquisition. The behaviourist theory claims that language is learned through reinforcement and imitation without an innate capacity, while the nativist theory argues that humans have an innate predisposition and ability to learn language that allows us to acquire it as quickly as we do through interaction with the environment.

Uploaded by

Ana Mariel V. Samino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Compare and contrast the behaviourist theory of language acquisition and the nativist

theory of language acquisition.

Behaviourist theory Nativist theory

Individual have capacity for learning but no Nativism essentially says that we have an
specific capacity for language learning. innate predisposition to learn the language.

Learning a language, results from positive


reinforcement of desirable behaviour and non-
reinforcement of what is not wanted

Treats language learning as essentially Without a biological predisposition, it would


imitation and repetition guided by external be impossible to learn as quickly and
events. thoroughly as we do.

The stimuli and reinforcement provide


encouragement to children to make the effort
and to experiment.

Argue that everything we know we have Emphasised the interaction between the child
learned through interaction with the and the adult.
environment.

We learn through reinforcement

Behaviourists say that this is entirely learned. Ability to learn language is inborn.

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