PSYB21H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Language Acquisition Device, Critical Period Hypothesis, African Grey Parrot
Document Summary
Learning theory accounts have not fared well as a sole explanation of language acquisition for several reasons. The number of stimulus-response connections- specific linkages between a baby"s vocalization and a parent"s reinforcing response is so big a child could not acquire all of them even in a lifetime. Naturalistic studies of parent-child interaction fail to support the learning theory account e. g. mothers will reward for grammatically incorrect but truthful statements. We can"t predict the vast majority of language utterances from opportunities to observe specific utterances by others. Learning theory accounts have not explained the regular sequence in which language develops. (learn active constructions before passive for eg. ) Learning explanation basically portrays the child as playing a passive role in language development, although as evidence we discuss later shows the child plays an active and creative role in discovering and applying the general rules of language.
