Theoretical Perspectives

1. Nativist

1.1. Chomsky

1.1.1. Inborn or innate human capabilities

1.1.2. Acquisition of syntactic knowledge

1.1.3. Universal grammar

2. Behaviorist

2.1. Skinner

2.1.1. Emphasaizes the role of "nurture"

2.1.2. language is "taught" through situations

2.1.3. Operant conditioning

2.2. Skinner

2.2.1. learning occurs on a "blank slate"

2.2.2. Emphasizes the role of "nurture"

3. Cognitive Developmentalist

3.1. Piaget

3.1.1. Task

3.1.2. Prerequisites

4. Interactionist

4.1. Vygotsky, Bruner, and Halliday

4.1.1. Focuses on the the primary role of sociocultural interaction

4.1.2. Aquire language through attempting to communicate

4.1.3. Focus on the process of language development