Language Development Exam 3.Final Test 2026\2027.
Behaviorism Theorist (Nurture)
Skinner
How do behaviorists believe language is shaped?
Complex language consists of a series or chain of behaviors in which each step in the process stimulates each successive
behavior.
Operant conditioning is the mechanism that drives language learning. (Behaviors that are reinforced, or suppressed through
consequences)
Why are consequences so important in behaviorism?
Consequences either strengthens or suppresses language development through operant conditioning in which behaviors that are
reinforced become strengthened and behaviors that are punished become suppressed.
Skinner's beliefs on language development
Language is not a special behavior; rather it is a behavior like any other behavior humans can learn. Children produce as they
interact with the environment. Children arrive at the task of language learning without innate knowledge; rather environmental
stimuli elicits verbal responses, or language from children. Children then "learn" language as adults reinforce their
vocalizations. (behaviorism)
Nature inspired Theorist (s)
Universal Grammar (Chomsky),
Modularity Theory (Fodor)
Bootstrapping (Pinkner)
Universal Grammar (nature or nurture)
Nature
Behaviorism (nature or nurture) Skinner
,Language Development Exam 3.Final Test 2026\2027.
Nurture
Universal Grammar theorist (nature)
Chomsky
Universal grammar
The system of grammatical rules and constraints that are consistent among all world languages. UG is a nature inspired theory
of second language acquisition because it rests on an innate, species specific module dedicated solely to language acquisition.
Children are born with a basic set of grammatical rules and categories that exist in all languages, and the input they receive sets
parameters (options) to match those of their native language.
Linguistic competence
The implicit knowledge children have about language
Linguistic performance
The actual comprehension and production of language in specific situations
Language acquisition device
Chomsky's innate, species-specific module dedicated to language and not other forms of learning.
Modularity Theory (nature or nurture) Fodor
nature
Modularity Theorist (nature)
Fodor
Modularity Theory
Popular cognitive approach to language development emphasizing the organization of the cognitive infrastructure of the brain as
comprising a series of highly specified modules, including modules for various aspects of language processing. A modularity
perspective of language views it as an innate capacity localized to domain-specific processors that are encapsulated in their
functions from other processors. To say that language is localized means the modules composing the language system each
operate by using a dedicated neural system. Uses the concept of encapsulation.
Syntax; Morphology; Phonology; Semantics; Pragmatics. (Fodor)
Encapsulation
, Language Development Exam 3.Final Test 2026\2027.
Processors operate independently of one another and thus language modules operate independently to perform dedicated
functions, yet interact with one another at higher levels to produce combinations of functions. Because language modules
operate independently, different types of input drive language development forward in different areas (lexicon, syntax,
morphology). For example, the number of kinds of words a young child hears from an environmental influence that helps shape
the lexicon, whereas innately given syntactic rules helps shape the child's sentence formation abilities. Because modularity
theory stipulates separate areas of language can develop independently of one another, it has implications for understanding
language development. This phenomenon is most obvious in children who have an impairment in one or more language areas
(receptive language, expressive language).
Modularity theory
form, content and use are separate constructs
Bootstrapping theory (nature or nurture) Pinker
nature
Bootstrapping Theorist (nature)
Pinker
Bootstrapping theory
Children use their knowledge about certain aspects of language to make inferences about other aspects of language. (To
accomplish a goal by personal effort or with minimal outside assistance). Focuses specifically on syntactic development.
Syntactic bootstrapping
form
The process by which children use the syntactic frames surrounding unknown verbs to successfully constrain or limit the
possible meanings of the verbs.
Semantic bootstrapping
children deduce grammatical structures by using word meanings they acquire from observing events around them. After
children acquire a large, diverse lexicon from their observations of objects an events in the world, they use correspondences
between semantics and syntax (arrangement of words and phrases to make well formed phrases and sentences) to determine
the syntactic category for which each word belongs.
Prosodic bootstrapping
Behaviorism Theorist (Nurture)
Skinner
How do behaviorists believe language is shaped?
Complex language consists of a series or chain of behaviors in which each step in the process stimulates each successive
behavior.
Operant conditioning is the mechanism that drives language learning. (Behaviors that are reinforced, or suppressed through
consequences)
Why are consequences so important in behaviorism?
Consequences either strengthens or suppresses language development through operant conditioning in which behaviors that are
reinforced become strengthened and behaviors that are punished become suppressed.
Skinner's beliefs on language development
Language is not a special behavior; rather it is a behavior like any other behavior humans can learn. Children produce as they
interact with the environment. Children arrive at the task of language learning without innate knowledge; rather environmental
stimuli elicits verbal responses, or language from children. Children then "learn" language as adults reinforce their
vocalizations. (behaviorism)
Nature inspired Theorist (s)
Universal Grammar (Chomsky),
Modularity Theory (Fodor)
Bootstrapping (Pinkner)
Universal Grammar (nature or nurture)
Nature
Behaviorism (nature or nurture) Skinner
,Language Development Exam 3.Final Test 2026\2027.
Nurture
Universal Grammar theorist (nature)
Chomsky
Universal grammar
The system of grammatical rules and constraints that are consistent among all world languages. UG is a nature inspired theory
of second language acquisition because it rests on an innate, species specific module dedicated solely to language acquisition.
Children are born with a basic set of grammatical rules and categories that exist in all languages, and the input they receive sets
parameters (options) to match those of their native language.
Linguistic competence
The implicit knowledge children have about language
Linguistic performance
The actual comprehension and production of language in specific situations
Language acquisition device
Chomsky's innate, species-specific module dedicated to language and not other forms of learning.
Modularity Theory (nature or nurture) Fodor
nature
Modularity Theorist (nature)
Fodor
Modularity Theory
Popular cognitive approach to language development emphasizing the organization of the cognitive infrastructure of the brain as
comprising a series of highly specified modules, including modules for various aspects of language processing. A modularity
perspective of language views it as an innate capacity localized to domain-specific processors that are encapsulated in their
functions from other processors. To say that language is localized means the modules composing the language system each
operate by using a dedicated neural system. Uses the concept of encapsulation.
Syntax; Morphology; Phonology; Semantics; Pragmatics. (Fodor)
Encapsulation
, Language Development Exam 3.Final Test 2026\2027.
Processors operate independently of one another and thus language modules operate independently to perform dedicated
functions, yet interact with one another at higher levels to produce combinations of functions. Because language modules
operate independently, different types of input drive language development forward in different areas (lexicon, syntax,
morphology). For example, the number of kinds of words a young child hears from an environmental influence that helps shape
the lexicon, whereas innately given syntactic rules helps shape the child's sentence formation abilities. Because modularity
theory stipulates separate areas of language can develop independently of one another, it has implications for understanding
language development. This phenomenon is most obvious in children who have an impairment in one or more language areas
(receptive language, expressive language).
Modularity theory
form, content and use are separate constructs
Bootstrapping theory (nature or nurture) Pinker
nature
Bootstrapping Theorist (nature)
Pinker
Bootstrapping theory
Children use their knowledge about certain aspects of language to make inferences about other aspects of language. (To
accomplish a goal by personal effort or with minimal outside assistance). Focuses specifically on syntactic development.
Syntactic bootstrapping
form
The process by which children use the syntactic frames surrounding unknown verbs to successfully constrain or limit the
possible meanings of the verbs.
Semantic bootstrapping
children deduce grammatical structures by using word meanings they acquire from observing events around them. After
children acquire a large, diverse lexicon from their observations of objects an events in the world, they use correspondences
between semantics and syntax (arrangement of words and phrases to make well formed phrases and sentences) to determine
the syntactic category for which each word belongs.
Prosodic bootstrapping
