Behavioural Theory or BF Skinner Theory of Language Acquisition

  

 In this blog, you will find Behavioural theory of language Acquisition or BF Skinner's theory | Child development theory.


Behavioral Theory:

The Behavioural theory of language acquisition, sometimes called the Imitation Theory, is part of behaviorist theory.sm proposes that we are a product of our environment. Therefore, children have no internal mechanism or ability to develop language by themselves. 


BF Skinner (1957) suggests that children learn the language first by imitating their caregivers (usually parents) and then modifying their use of language due to operant conditioning.


What is operant conditioning Behaviorism?

Operant conditioning is a way of learning that focuses on the reward (positive  reinforcement) or punishment (negative reinforcement) of desired or undesired behavior.


How does operant conditioning apply to language acquisition?

Skinner suggested that children first learn words and phrases from their caregivers or others around them and eventually try to say and use those words correctly. In this case, operant conditioning occurs when a caregiver responds to the child's attempt at using language. 

If the child uses language correctly, the caregiver may respond by telling the child they're clever or otherwise showing their approval. If the child makes a request, such as asking for food, the caregiver may reward the child by providing it. This is positive reinforcement.

If the child uses language incorrectly, makes a mistake, or is incoherent, they are more likely to receive negative reinforcement from the caregiver. They can be told they're wrong and then be corrected or simply be ignored. 

Negative reinforcement teaches the child which mistakes to avoid and how to correct them.





















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