Language and Cognition
Theories of Language Acquisition
The nature vs. nurture debate extends to the topic of language acquisition. Today, most
researchers acknowledge that both nature and nurture play a role in language acquisition.
However, some researchers emphasize the influences of learning on language acquisition, while
others emphasize the biological influences.
Receptive Language before Expressive Language
Children’s ability to understand language develops faster than their ability to speak it. Receptive
language is the ability to understand language, and expressive language is the ability to use
language to communicate. If a mother tells her fifteen-month-old child to put the toy back in the
toy chest, he may follow her instructions even though he can’t repeat them himself.
Environmental Influences on Language Acquisition
A major proponent of the idea that language depends largely on environment was the behaviorist
B. F. Skinner
(see pages 145 and 276 for more information on Skinner). He believed that
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- Winter '09
- SCHEFF
- Psychology
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