Final answer:
Noam Chomsky posited that children have an innate language acquisition device (LAD) enabling them to learn language, contrasting with B.F. Skinner's behaviorist theory. Chomsky's work bolstered the cognitive revolution by reasserting the role of mental processes in psychology. Current research recognizes a combination of innate mechanisms and environmental factors in language acquisition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chomsky's Views on Child Language Acquisition
Noam Chomsky believed children are born with an innate capacity for language learning. Chomsky criticized B.F. Skinner's behaviorist view of language acquisition, which emphasized reinforcement and feedback, and instead proposed the existence of a language acquisition device (LAD). This innate mechanism enables children to readily learn the language(s) they are exposed to during development. The debate between Chomsky's nativist perspective and Skinner's behaviorist approach has evolved, with researchers now recognizing that language acquisition involves both inborn biological predispositions and environmental interactions. This synthesis of nature and nurture points to a more comprehensive understanding of how children acquire language skills.
Chomsky also played a crucial role in the cognitive revolution, emphasizing the importance of mental processes in understanding language and behavior. His work challenged the behaviorist paradigm, which largely ignored the mental aspects of psychological phenomena. As such, Chomsky's contributions have had a significant impact on the field of language study and cognitive psychology.