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Flashcards in Imitation Theory Deck (7)
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1
Q

Who supports this theory?

A

Skinner (1957)

2
Q

What did Skinner believe?

A

Repeat what they hear
Caregivers reward children’s effort with praise
When correcting mistakes, reinforcement is used by repeating the word.

3
Q

Research to support the theory

A

Skinner tested on rats and pigeons - tested reinforcement

Pronunciation

4
Q

Pronunciation

A

Children acquire the accent which their parents have. However when they start going to school their accents may change as they mingle with their peers.

5
Q

Rats and Pigeons

A

Skinner tested reinforcement
Positive: press button to get food
Negative: electric shock given, stopped when button is pressed

6
Q

What to look for in data

A

Adults correcting children; modelling or teaching language
Children mimicking and imitating adults speech
Children correcting mistakes

7
Q

Arguments against the Imitation Theory

A

Children are not rats or pigeons
How do children create their own words and errors if they only learn from imitation? (overgeneralisation)
children don’t always respond to correction