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
according to this theory, changes in behavior indicate changes within the thought process
cognitivist
according to this theory, learning takes place because of stimuli and the following cognitive processing
cognitivist
the two main assumptions of the cognitivist theory are:
1) memory is an active and organized processor
2) prior knowledge is important in the role of learning
according to this theory, learning is a change in knowledge and behavior
cognitivist
this learning theory involves adaptation, organization and equilibrium
cognitivist
according to piaget, the two cognitive processes for change are:
adaptation and organization
the two subcategories of adaptation are
assimilation
accommodation
according to cognitivist theory, what is assimilation?
integrating info into existing scheme
according to cognitivist theory, what is accommodation?
creating or modifying new schemes
according to cognitivist theory, what is organization process?
making processes into systems
according to piaget, what is equilibrium?
cognitive balance between incoming info and child’s cognitive schemes
what are the four developmental stages, according to cognitivist theory?
sensorimotor
preoperational
concrete operations
formal operations
according to cognitivist theory, what age range is sensorimotor and what three things does it entail?
0-2
Focused on present
egotistical perspective
using senses to explore world
according to cognitivist theory, what age range is preoperational and what does it entail?
2-7
Rapid language development
classify objects based on one feature
use representational systems
according to cognitivist theory, what age range is concrete operations and what does it entail?
7-11
learning to read and write
classify objects using several features
can understand numbers
having objects on hand still necessary for solving problems
according to cognitivist theory, what age range is formal operations and what does it entail
11+
Think via symbols
can reason
able to think about past, present and future
can draw conclusion and make predictions
what are two arguments against cognitivist theory?
1) stages of dev aren’t exactly right or as fixed
2) doesn’t explain role of impact of social learning
In this theory, social learning precedes development
social constructivist
in this theory, children learn via a more knowledgeable model
social constructivist
this language theory proports that language learning is a combination between innate abilities, self-directed exploration, culture and environment
social constructivist
this language recognizes that cognitive development can proceed differently between children
social constructivist
According to this theory, one of the primary uses of language is to mediate social events
social constructivist
this language theory uses the Zone of Proximal Development
social constructivist
distance between actual development level and level of of potential development in good social setting
Zone of Proximal Development
In the social constructivist theory, caregivers use this method to support the learner with tools, instruction and activities
scaffolding
in social constructivist theory, scaffolding is ___ and ___ over time
reduced; disposed of
organized patterns used to process sensory info
Schemes
which learning theory are schemes associated with
cognitivist
According to Piaget, the reason biological and cognitive changes happen is because we are striving for
equilibrium
Nativist vs constructionist - whose major focus is language structure?
nativist
Nativist vs constructionist - whose major focus is language use?
interactionalist
Nativist or constructionist - specific neural structures dedicated to language enable humans to learn, process and use language
nativist
Nativist vs constructionist - language form and use result from complex human brains
constructionist
Nativist vs constructionist - child learns language by learning specific rules
nativist
Nativist vs constructionist - child uses language learning form that best accomplishes their social goals. Figure out rules through repeated use
constructionist
Nativist vs constructionist - language is innate and universal language rules exist across languages
nativist
Nativist vs constructionist - language universals do not exist
constructionist
Nativist vs constructionist - child uses language input to deduce rules
nativist
Nativist vs constructionist - child and context have dynamic relationship
constructionist
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
knowledge = behavioral responses or changes to environmental stimuli
behaviorism
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
knowledge systems = actively constructed by learners based on cognition
cognitivist
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
knowledge = constructed through social interactions with knowledge community
social constructivism
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
learning = passive absorption; parent repeats and reinforces
behaviorism
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
learning = active participant, assimilate and accommodate new info into preexisting schema
cognitive
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
learning = collaborative assimilation and accomodation
social constructivism
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
motivation for learning = not about learner; reinforcement of desired behavior
behaviorism
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
motivation for learning = intrinsic to learner striving for equilibrium
cognitive
Behaviorism, cognitivist, or social construction:
motivation for learning = learners have both cognitive and social needs
social constructivism
how consequences affect frequency of behavior
operant conditioning
in behaviorism, the specific behavior the caregiver wants to change
operant behavior
technique behaviorism is known for
operant conditioning
