Major Language Development Theories

Question 1

What do infants bring to the task of language learning?

Answer 1

Nature versus nurture/nativist versus empiricist

Some aspects are innate, others come through experience

Question 2

What drives language acquisition?

Answer 2

Mechanisms
Domain specific/domain general
Modularity/nonmodularity

Question 3

What types of input support language learning?

Answer 3

Increasing knowledge of social conventions, and desire to interact with others. Or when children hear language, use as evidence of structure.

Question 4

Extreme nurture view

Answer 4

All through experience- blank slate theory

Question 5

Extreme nature view (nativist)

Answer 5

Innate, genetic. Born with language system in place.

Question 6

Skinner’s Behaviorist Theory

Answer 6

Nurture- Radical behaviorism- operant conditioning: bx is determined by consequences. All learning results from this. Reinforced bx is strengthened, punished bx is weakened- language is no different than any other bx. Children learn because adults reinforce their vocalizations.

Question 7

Vygotsky’s Socialist-Interactionist Theory

Answer 7

Nurture. Language emerges through social interactions. Every function in cultural development occurs 2x- 1st between people, and then in child. Speech is used to regulate social requests. Language is a part of general cognition until age 2 when independent. ZPD occurs in this zone.

Question 8

Zone of Proximal Development

Answer 8

Distance between ability to solve on own versus with an adult

Question 9

Piaget’s Cognitive Theory

Answer 9

Nurture. Observed own children’s developmental achievements. Must achieve one stage before moving on to the next- reflects other areas of growth. Domain general activity. Kids view the world only in their perspective- must move past this for conversation.

Question 10

Genetic Epistemology

Answer 10

Study of development of knowledge. Seen in cognitive theory.

Question 11

Intentionality Model

Answer 11

Nurture. Abilities develop one after another. Child learns when they must express language- have to be intentional to acquire.

Question 12

Competition Model

Answer 12

Nurture. Children acquire language frequently earlier, less frequently later on. Input competes until the most heard language strengthens. Overgeneralization occurs when child overgeneralizes words of language. ex: “I goed” Will correct on own.

Question 13

Usage Based Theory

Answer 13

Children learn because they have a reason to talk. Requests and protests to obtain something- recognize intentions of others and learn to manipulate.

Question 14

What three questions must language development theories answer?

Answer 14

What do infants bring to the task of language learning
What drives language acquisition
What types of input support language learning

Question 15

Fedor’s Modularity Theory

Answer 15

Language is innate capacity that emphasizes organization of cognitive infrastructure of brain as highly specified modules, including those for language processing. Processors do not share info, operate independently. Areas develop independently.

Question 16

Universal Grammar

Answer 16

Noah Chomsky’s system of grammatical rules and constraints that are consistent in all world languages. Language depends on species specific module dedicated to language- the language acquisition device. Children are born with universal grammar and linguistic competence, input develops language. Difficulties are not lack of competence but performance difficulty.

Question 17

Syntactic bootstrapping

Answer 17

Learn the meaning of an unfamiliar verb by examining extralinguistic cues. Observe own and others actions- “Would you like to color?” while handing paper and crayons

Question 18

Semantic bootstrapping

Answer 18

Utilizing innate knowledge to know what syntactic category word belongs to. Ex: adj+word- yellow bus

Question 19

Prosodic bootstrapping

Answer 19

Infants use sensitivity to acoustic processes of speech, uses to make inferences. Isolate important units from running speech.

Question 20

Connectionist theories

Answer 20

How language organized across the brain and how connections are formed between words in lexicon. Could easily be a nurture theory.

Question 21

Nodes

Answer 21

Simple processing units in brain. Similar to neurons: receive input from external sources through connections.

Question 22

Connections

Answer 22

Vary in strength depending on connection weight. Weaken with reduced input and strengthening reorganizes network.

Question 23

Prevention

Answer 23

Goal to inhibit difficulties from emerging. Phonological awareness is the primary target: ex: tv shows & headstart

Question 24

Intervention & Remediation

Answer 24

Strategies to help individuals with difficulties in aspects of language development. ex: speech therapy- must be significant delay

Question 25

Enrichment

Answer 25

Provides learning environment that builds on existing and promotes new language. Not individual needs. Environment based.

Question 26

Evidence Based Practice EBP

Answer 26

Integrating theoretical knowledge with scientific inquiry to inform decision making. ASHA says to always use research, client experience and values, and therapists experience.