Key Theorists And Theories

Question 1

Behaviourism

Answer 1

B.F. Skinner

Question 2

Nativism

Answer 2

Noam Chomsky

Question 3

Social interaction theory

Answer 3

Lev Vygotsky

Lennenberg

Question 4

Construction acquisition

Answer 4

Usage-based model-Michael Tomasello

David Crystal

Question 5

Cognitive theories

Answer 5

Piaget

Lev Vygotsky

Question 6

Nature

Answer 6

• centres on the role of nature (innate)

- e.g the role of biology or DNA, which determine Individual human characteristics

Question 7

Nurture

Answer 7

• centres in the role of environmental factors

- e.g. early experiences, parents, family, early education in the development of human characteristics

Question 8

Studying CLA

Answer 8

• the lives and speech of twins who have been separated at birth
• feral children
• children who have been institutionalised from an early age
• the Flynn effect- tendency of IQ scores able to increase in the general population over time
• Bowlby’s theory of attachment-separation anxiety due to being removed from primary caregiver

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

Overall the research conducted by linguists and psychologists concludes that:

1. The ability to use language is inherent in all humans
2. Language skills are linked to cognitive development and maturation
3. Social input is a required element for children to allow them to communicate their needs