Theoretical Perspectives

1. Behaviorist

1.1. B.F. Skinner

1.2. The behaviorist perspective emphasizes the role of “nurture” and considers learning to occur based on the stimuli, responses, and reinforcements that occur in the environment.

2. Nativist

2.1. Noam Chomsky

2.2. The nativist perspective emphasizes inborn or innate human capabilities (i.e., “nature”) as being responsible for language development.

2.2.1. Task 2

3. Cognitive Developmentalist

3.1. Jean Piaget

3.2. Language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop

4. Interactionist

4.1. Jerome Bruner

4.2. The interactionist perspective focuses on the primary role of sociocultural interaction in children's development of language knowledge