Theoretical Perspectives

1. Behaviorist

1.1. B.K Skinner

1.2. Nurture

1.3. This theory states that a child’s environment affects their language acquisition.

2. Nativist

2.1. Noam Chomsky

2.2. Nature

2.3. This theory states that children's biology has a great deal of influence on their development.

3. Interactionist

3.1. Lev Vygotsky

3.2. Nurture

3.3. This theory states that a child's language development is affected by both their social interactions and their genetic make up.

4. Cognitive

4.1. Jean Piaget

4.2. Nature

4.3. The emphasis of this perspective is that language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop (Otto 2010)