Question

According to the ____________, language acquisition follows the fundamental laws of reinforcement and conditioning (Skinner 1957). A child who articulates the word "da" may be hugged and praised by her father who jumps to conclusions that she is referring to him.

a) Nativist theory
b) Social learning theory
c) Behaviorist theory
d) Interactionist theory

Answer 1

According to B.F. Skinner's behaviorist theory, language acquisition follows the fundamental laws of reinforcement and conditioning. Positive feedback and reinforcement from caregivers play a crucial role in a child's language development.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is c) Behaviorist theory. According to B.F. Skinner's behaviorist theory of language acquisition, language learning occurs through reinforcement and conditioning. This means that when a child utters a word and receives positive feedback or reinforcement, such as praise or attention, they are more likely to continue using that word. Skinner's theory emphasizes the role of environmental factors in language development, suggesting that language is learned through interactions and feedback from caregivers.