Language Development: Theoretical Perspectives

Behaviorist- BF Skinner was the theorist-researcher associated with this perspective. Behaviorists focused on nature over nurture. Operant conditioning is the providing positive reinforcement for a specific behavior. The aspects of language knowledge associated with the behaviorist perspective are semantic, syntactic and morphemic knowledge.

Nativist- Noam Chomsky is the theorist-researcher associated with this perspective. Nativists focus on nature over nurture. The LAD is \"an inborn mechanism that is specific for language learning\" (p29). The aspect of language knowledge associated with this perspective is syntactic knowledge.

Cognitive Developmentalist- Jean Piaget is the theorist-researcher associated with this perspective. Cognitive developmentalists focus on nature over nurture. Object permanence is when a child learns an object still exists, even if it is out of sight. This is \"an important onset of the development of language\" (p31). Schemata development is when a child makes \"relationships between actions and objects and organizes them into abstract cognitive structures (p31).

Interactionist- Vygotsky, Bruner and Halliday are the theorists-researchers associated with this perspective. This perspective builds on the three previous perspectives, making language development a process, not a product. Sociocultural experiences, or interacting with the world, is the primary way to develop language knowledge. The aspect of language knowledge associated with this perspective is pragmatic knowledge.