Chomsky vs Skinner Flashcards
1
Q
Did Chomsky believe that language was acquired through nurture or nature?
A
it was acquired through nature with a language acquisition device
2
Q
What is a LAD (Language Acquisition Device)?
A
a structure in the brain that you are born with allowing us to learn and understand language quickly as we mature
3
Q
What are the criticisms of Chomsky’s theory?
A
- not enough scientific evidence backing up his theory
- underestimated importance of social interaction
- did not consider external factors
4
Q
Did Skinner believe that language was acquired through nurture or nature?
A
nurture
-learned through behaviourist reinforcement principles
5
Q
What are behaviourist reinforcement principles?
A
- a child is positively reinforced when they do something correctly
- a child is then negatively reinforced when they do something wrong.
6
Q
what are the criticisms of Skinner’s theory
A
Chomsky argued that children will never acquire the amount of tools needed for language acquisition if it was based on nurture alone
