Behaviourist overall content

Question 1

Who is associated with the behaviourist theory?

Answer 1

Skinner

Question 2

What is the main point about the behaviourist theory?

Answer 2

Language is acquired through imitation and positive or negative reinforcement

Question 3

Give two points about the behaviourist theory

Answer 3

• children learn language through imitation of dialect, politenesss features and pragmatics - language in use and context
• children repeat language they have heard around them

Question 4

Give 6 objections/challenges to behaviourism

Answer 4

• children do not just immitate language
• children can make up sentances they have never heard
• children can still acquire correct grammer even if they hear incorrect language around them
• not all children respond to correction
• children arent always negativly inforced
• corrections may slow down development
• children often imitate but not understand the meanings

Question 5

what is another limitation of behaviourism –> “fis” phenomenon

Answer 5

• suggests that children can hear and understand the correct pronunciation but simply cannot produce it themselves at that stage
• brown and berko 1960s