Child Language Acquisition Theorists (Paper 1) Flashcards

1
Q

Who wrote about a child’s language being innate?

A

Chomsky with Nativism

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2
Q

Who wrote about language being learned through imitation, reward and punishment?

A

Skinner and behaviorism

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3
Q

Who wrote about cognition theory?

A

Piaget

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4
Q

Who wrote about how a child’s language is reliant on their caregivers?

A

Jerome Bruner with input theory

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5
Q

What are some key features of Nativism?

A

We are all born with the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) which refers to our brain’s “hard wiring” to learn Language

Goes against Skinner’s “blank slate theory”

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6
Q

What are some key features of Behaviourism?

A

We imitate our parents and get rewarded for correct language use and punished for incorrect use

Positive reinforcement theory

Born as a blank slate

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7
Q

What are the key features of Cognition theory?

A

3 main areas of language Acquisition

M.K.O (more knowledgeable other)

ZPD (Zone of proximal development)

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8
Q

What are the 3 main stages of a child’s language Acquisition according to cognition theory?

A

Object permanence

Classification

Seration

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9
Q

What is object permanence according to cognition theory?

A

When a child begins to recognise that objects have an existence outside of their sight, before this they believe that if an object falls out of their sight it ceases to exist

Typically at ages 1 to 18 months

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10
Q

What is classification according to cognition theory?

A

The child’s ability to classify objects and actions. They can divide into linguistic categories (nouns, verbs etc based on their semantic, morphological and syntactic)

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11
Q

What is seration according to cognition theory?

A

A child’s ability compare objects in order of increasing or decreasing size to advance from long and short. Gaining an awareness of seration and using comparative terms such as longer and shorter and superlative terms (longest , shortest)

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12
Q

What are the key features of input theory?

A

Talks about the role of interaction in language, particularly the interaction between children and parents

Suggests that a child’s language acquisition depends on the contribution made by parents and significant others at critical periods of a child’s language acquisition

Use of child directed speech

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13
Q

What are some examples of child directed speech?

A

Monosyllabic lexis
Slower speaking
More pauses
More restricted lexis

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14
Q

What is the LASS?

A

Language Acquisition support system

Refers to the support for learning provided by parents and caretakers

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15
Q

What occurs after a child reaches object permanence according to cognition theory?

A

A child’s vocabulary massively expands

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16
Q

Who built on Chompskys ideas ?

17
Q

What did Lenneberg say about a child’s language being inate?

A

He argued that children can only learn if they have activated the LAD during the critical period (infancy to early puberty)

18
Q

Who wrote about constructivist theory?

19
Q

What is a M.K.O?

A

A more knowledgeable other, a person who has a better understanding of language then the child

20
Q

What does Vygotsky write about the Z.P.D?

A

The Zone of Proximal Development

The space between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers.

21
Q

(Input) What did Saxton (1997) write about regarding how adults help children learn the correct way to speak?

A

Adult’s use corrective recasts

For example - Child : Ice ceam
Mum : I love Ice cream
Child : Ice cream

22
Q

What did Cazden add to Saxtons research? (ZPD)

A

He claimed that corrective recasts only work if the child is in the right Z.P.D

23
Q

Who wrote about cognition theory?

24
Q

How is Nativism (Chomsky) proven by overgeneralisations?

A

As overgeneralsations such as the addition of the suffix ‘ed’ to display past tense on irregular verbs such as ‘cutted’ from children prove an innate drive as they would have never heard incorrect use so couldn’t copy it

25
How does Skinner (behaviourism) believe children learn?
Through imitation, punishement and reward
26
When does Lennenburg argue the 'critical period' ends (Chomsky - Nativism)
The age of 5
27
What theory does the 'Wugs' experiment prove?
Nativism , as children were able to add the suffix 's' to wug, in order to pluaralise it, even though the creature doesn't exist
28
Who are the two theorists associated with 'constructions' theory?
Braine and Tomasello
29
What did Braine argue with 'pivot grammar' (Constructivism theory)
Children have a repitouie of words which can be added to a large variety of others e.g MORE .....
30
How does Tomasello's theory of slot and frame schemas explain overgeneralisations? Constructivism theory)
Children have learnt the frame of '2 X's' so slot in the verb or noun as regular e.g ' two sheeps'
31
What is Tomasello's theory of slot and frame schemas? (Constructivism theory)
Children listen and find patterns and templates in language, which they use as they learn E.g 'Wheres the X?' = X could be filled with 'dog' 'toy' etc
32
Why did Bruner argue Child Directed Speach was essential? (Input theory)
As it helps 'scaffold' a childs learning of English
33
Who is an example who proves Chompksy and Lenneburgs 'critcial period' theory
Genie - a 13 year old girl who was horribly neglected by her parents and despite having a huge amount of speach therapy, she never fully grasped the English Language
34
Whats an example of a country which refuses to use Child directed speech (and in turn contradicts Bruner)
Papa New Guinea - yet they still have the same language development rate