Language Theories Flashcards
What is a language theory
Theoretical views on how and why language is acquired
which person is associated with nativist theory?
Noam Chomsky
which person is associated with behavioral theory?
B.F. Skinner
which person is associated with cognitivist theory?
jean piaget
which person is associated with social constructivist theory?
lev vygotsky
what are the 5 primary language development theories?
BLICS
1) nativist generative theory
2) interactionalist theory
3) behavioral learning theory
4) cognitivist learning theory
5) social constructivist learning theory
In this learning theory, language acquisition is mostly determined by biology with little environmental impact
nativist
in the nativist theory, language acquisition is done via __ __ __
Transformational Generative Grammar
What are the three elements of transformational generative grammar?
Structures
1) deep structure - universal rules to all languages housed in deep structure
2) transformations - transformational rules used to produce unlimited number of word order rules
3) surface structure - transformations lead here (work order and grammar)
what are five criticisms of nativist theory?
1) none of the models explain language acquisition
2) generative theories based on adult grammar, not child grammar
3) there is evidence kids benefit from grammar when learning language
4) there is evidence environment does matter
5) there are industries (SLPs etc) built on the idea that language guidance works
which language theory has deep structure, transformations and surface structure?
nativist
which language theory involves a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) in the brain?
nativist
what are the two branches of interactionalist theory?
emergentism and constructionism
what is child-directed speech?
the specific way adults speak to children
which theory has child directed speech (CDS)?
interactionalist
which branch of interactionalist theory proports that language arises from interaction of existing patterns in brain
emergentism
which branch of interactionalist theory focuses on children learning language via pattern-finding?
constructionism
what are two criticisms of interactionalist theory?
1) language development not fully explained
2) explains individual differences but not similarities in language development across children
According to behavioral theory, what is the difference between language and speech?
Language is a verbal environment, speech is verbal behavior
This language theory is all about reinforcement and consequences
behavioral
which theory involves chaining?
behavioral
in this theory, children are passive learners and instead the environment does the heavy lifting
behavioral
the preceding tactics “discriminative, delta and aversive” are hallmarks of the ____ theory
behaviorist
in this preceding behaviorist tactic, the caregiver reminds the child about the reinforcement that will follow behavior
discriminative
in this preceding behaviorist tactic, the caregiver lays out that reinforcement will not happen if the response is not correct
delta
in this preceding behaviorist tactic, the caregiver reminds the child that unpleasant consequences will follow if the right response is not given
aversive
in this language theory, language is a performative phenomenon
behaviorist
Types of response targets in behaviorist theory
ATIME
Autoclitic
Tact
Intraverbal
Mand
Echoic
In this response target, the caregiver gives repetitions of the word
echoic
In this response target, the caregiver helps the child by providing visual representation for a word
tact
In this response target, the child makes a demand
mand
what are 3 critiques of behaviorist theory?
1) parents aren’t always good models
2) imitation doesn’t explain generative grammar
3) imitation reduces after two years
this theory is less about language acquisition and more about learning in general
cognitivist
In this theory, the learner is an active participant, and learning is based on their own interpretation and the meaning they derive from experiences
cognitivist