Child Language Acquisition Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is B.F. Skinner’s view on babies in language acquisition?
Skinner viewed babies as ‘empty vessels’ into which language had to be ‘put into’.
Skinner’s behaviorism emphasizes the role of the environment in learning.
According to Skinner, how do children learn language?
Children learn language from their environment and the consequences of their actions.
This includes processes like imitation, positive and negativereinforcement.
What is positive reinforcement in language learning?
Positive reinforcement rewards (verbally or physically) the child that the utterance they made was good, encouraging them to repeat it.
This is a key concept in Skinner’s behaviorism.
What is negative reinforcement in language learning?
Negative reinforcement punishes the child to ensure that they will not make the same mistake.
This is also a part of Skinner’s behaviorist approach.
What is a criticism of Skinner’s behaviorism?
It doesn’t explain novel utterances or overgeneralizations.
Critics argue that behaviorism fails to account for creativity in language use.
What is Noam Chomsky’s main theory regarding language acquisition?
Chomsky proposed the Nativist theory in which that states every child is born with the ability to speak, which is ‘programmed’ into the brain.
This concept is referred to as the Innate Language Acquisition Device (LAD).
What concept did Chomsky introduce that contrasts with behaviorism?
Universal grammar.
Chomsky’s universal grammar suggests a common structural basis for all languages.
What evidence did Chomsky provide against behaviorism?
Children say things they’ve never heard, such as ‘goed’.
This indicates an innate understanding of grammatical structures.
What is Jerome Bruner’s contribution to language acquisition theory?
Bruner built on Chomsky’s nativism by emphasizing interaction, especially with caregivers.
He introduced the concept of the Language Acquisition Support System (LASS) and Child Directed Speech (CDS).
What does cognitive development refer to in Jean Piaget’s theory?
Cognitive development considers intellectual development, mental abilities, and skills.
Piaget focused on how thought processes change as children grow.
What is ‘object permanence’ according to Piaget?
Object permanence is the ability to recognize that an object exists even if it cannot be seen.
This concept is crucial for understanding cognitive development.
At what age does Piaget suggest object permanence is complete?
18 months.
This milestone corresponds with a sharp increase in vocabulary.
What is Vygotsky’s view on language acquisition?
Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction in language development.
His theories contributed to the field of social constructivism.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
The ZPD is a concept introduced by Vygotsky that defines the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance.
This concept highlights the role of social interaction in learning.
What is apart of CDS?
Scaffolding
Proto-conversations
Framing
Recasting
What are John Dore’s 8 functions?
- Labelling - naming or identifying
- Repeating - echoing something said
- Answering - giving a direct response
- Requesting action - demanding things like food
- Calling - attracting attention by shouting
- Greeting - greeting someone
- Protesting - objecting to requests etc
- Practising - when no adult is around
What are Haliday’s 7 functions?
- Instrumental - language that is used to fulfil a need, such as to obtain food, drink or comfort. This typically includes concrete nouns.
- Regulatory - language that is used to influence the behaviour of others including persuading, commanding or requesting.
- Interactional - language that is used to develop relationships and ease interaction. This could include phrases like “I love you mummy” or “Thank you”.
- Personal - language that expresses personal opinions, attitudes and feelings including a speaker’s identity.
- Heuristic - language that is used to explore, learn and discover. This could include questions or a running commentary of a child’s actions.
- Imaginative - the use of language to tell stories and create imaginary constructs. This typically accompanies play or leisure activities.
- Representational - language that is used to relay or request information.
