Theorectical Perspective

1. Behaviorist View

1.1. Empasizes the role of nurture and considers learning to occur based on the stimuli, responses, and reinforcements that occur in the environment

1.2. Learning occurs due to associations and language is learned as a result

1.3. B.F. Skinner is the main theorist

1.3.1. B.F. Skinner said that prelingusitic vocalizations such as cooing and babbling may be inborn

2. Nativist View

2.1. Emphasizes that inborn factors (nature) cause children to attend to and acquire language in certain ways

2.2. Noam Chomsky is main theorist

2.2.1. Chomsky said language acquisition involves an interaction between environment influences and an inborn tendency to acquire language.

2.2.2. He labled this innate tendency the "Language Acquistion Device"

3. Nature

4. Nurture

5. Cognitive Developmentalist View

5.1. Emphasizes that language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop

5.2. Assumes that cognitive development is a prerequisite and foundation for language learning and there is no unique language mechanism

5.3. Jean Piaget is the main theorist

5.3.1. According to Piaget, for language to exist the capacity for menatl representation must be present.

5.3.2. Vocalizations and babbling are not language

6. Interactionist view

6.1. Focuses on the primary role of sociocultural interaction in children's development of langauge

6.2. Children acquire language through their attempts to communicate with the world around them and a need to function in society

6.3. Lev Vygotsky is the main theorist

6.3.1. Vygotsky said language development is influenced by the society in whcich the person lives