Theories of Language Development Child Language Theories of Language Development

How can we explain children’s ability to acquire so much knowledge in such a short space of time? What theories have been developed to explain HOW children learn to use language?

Behaviourist theory B. F. Skinner (1904—1990)

‘Operant conditioning’ Skinner found that the behaviour of animals can be changed (conditioned) through positive and negative reinforcement.

… in other words, rewards and punishments

Language development is Entirely based on IMITATION

‘blank slate’ The child’s mind is a … which is filled by copying adult speech

‘POSITIVE reinforcement’ When children imitate adult speech correctly, they are praised or rewarded: I saw a dog. That’s right! Well done! ‘POSITIVE reinforcement’

‘NEGATIVE reinforcement’ When they make mistakes, they are ignored or told off. I seed a dog. WRONG! Stupid child! ‘NEGATIVE reinforcement’

Through positive and negative reinforcement, children are ‘conditioned’ to use language correctly.

EVIDENCE for the behaviourist theory Look through your notes and the handbook for features of language development that SUPPORT or CHALLENGE the theory. EXPLAIN WHY. Try to find 1 point to support, 1 to challenge.

Evidence in SUPPORT of Skinner’s theory

The fact that children learn to speak the language that they hear around them... Oui

Children whose parents have a regional accent grow up with this accent themselves.

I fell down The fact that children often get irregular verbs right (at first) shows that imitation is a factor. I fell down

BUT, having got the irregular verb right, the child will THEN start to get it wrong. I felled down. This shows the progression from copying to learning rules.

Imitation does play a part in language development – especially up to the age of two – but it is not the only factor.

PROBLEMS with the behaviourist theory

Skinner’s ideas about children’s language development were based on his research on animals.

It’s an irregular verb, you stupid child! Research has shown that parents rarely try to correct a child’s grammatical mistakes. WRONG! It’s an irregular verb, you stupid child!

stages of language development. All children, whatever their background or nationality, pass through the same stages of language development.

If children were learning by imitation, there would be much more variation in their development.