Theme 2 - language development

Question 1

what is the basis of the behaviourist perspective for language learning?

Answer 1

language learning occurs via operant conditioning - link between what they see and sounds they hear

Question 2

is the basis of the behaviourst perspective nature or nuture?

Answer 2

nuture

Question 3

give two limitations of the behaviourist perspective

Answer 3

you would always need a person there to reinforce the behvaiour and it doesn’t account for the way grammar is picked up

Question 4

who came up with the nativist perspective?

Answer 4

Chomsky

Question 5

what is the basis of the nativist perspective for language learning?

Answer 5

rules of grammar are too complex to be learnt from imitation and there is a unique biologically based language acquisition device

Question 6

what is LAD?

Answer 6

language acquisition device where babies have a universal grammar then babies can detect which type is used in their environment and develop from that

Question 7

how was the concept of LAD uniquely in humans demonstrated?

Answer 7

primate research - teach chimp 100 words via vocabulary but they could not use longer combinations and no sense of consistent grammar

Question 8

what are the limitations of Chomsky’s theory of LAD?

Answer 8

there is no specific brain area that relates to a language acquisition device and children acquisition of grammar is not just switched on once LAD is exposed to a particular language - understanding increases gradually

Question 9

is the nativist theory based on nature or nuture?

Answer 9

nature

Question 10

what is the basis of the interactionist perspective on language learning?

Answer 10

there is a social context for language learning which is a combination between the innate capacity to learn (LAD) but also a rich linguistic and social environment

Question 11

is the interactionist theory based on nature or nuture?

Answer 11

both

Question 12

when does preparation for talking begin in the adult?

Answer 12

way before they actually talk - rules of conversation are learnt by gestures and listening

Question 13

what is motherese?

Answer 13

how mothers talk to babies - the adult infant interaction

Question 14

what are three ways that adult infant interaction differ from adult adult interaction

Answer 14

close proximity, eye contact, exaggerated facial expressions and gestures, repetition

Question 15

at what age do infants begin to make associations between facial movements and sounds?

Answer 15

4 months

Question 16

at what age do infants begin to make recognise words in speech?

Answer 16

6 months

Question 17

at what age do infants begin to learn through changes in intonation?

Answer 17

7-12 months

Question 18

what perspective does LAD + motherese support?

Answer 18

interactionist

Question 19

give five features of adult child speech

Answer 19

present tense, repetition, exaggerated intonation, simple terminology and new words at the end of sentences

Question 20

at what age can home language be picked up from babbling?

Answer 20

10 months

Question 21

at what age do babies start to use first one syllable words?

Answer 21

1 year onwards

Question 22

at what age is language used to express thoughts and emotions?

Answer 22

5 years onwards

Question 23

give five ways a doctor can improve communication with a child

Answer 23

know what the child understands and can communicate (capacity), use short sentences, use intonation for emphasis, allow child to ask questions, use parents as a resource, eye contact and body language