Lesson 1.2: Major Theories of Language Development

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to major theories of language development and their implications in clinical practice.

Theory

An orderly set of statements attempting to explain or predict a phenomenon.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

A theoretical aspect of the mind, proposed by Noam Chomsky, that is believed to contain universal grammar and explains rapid language development.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards or punishments for behavior, primarily studied by B.F. Skinner.

Nativism

The theory that language is an innate biological ability, as proposed by Chomsky.

Cognition

The mental action of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Behaviorism

A theory of learning that emphasizes the role of external stimuli and reinforcement in behavior shaping.

Cognitive Development

The progression of mental abilities and processes, particularly the stages of development proposed by Jean Piaget.

Joint Attention

A social-communicative skill where two people pay attention to the same object or event, facilitating language learning.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

A concept by Vygotsky referring to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with help.

Emergentism

The view that complex systems and patterns arise out of relatively simple rules, applied to language as a product of various interacting systems.

Connectionism

The theory that learning occurs through the strengthening of connections in the brain, facilitated by repeated exposure and practice.

Reinforcement Schedule

A timed pattern by which reinforcements (rewards or punishments) are delivered in behaviorist learning.

Cognitive Information Processing

A theory focusing on how people process incoming information, store it, and retrieve it.

Shaping

A behavior modification technique where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that people learn by observing the behaviors and consequences experienced by others.

Language Disorders

Disruptions in the normal acquisition or use of language, often diagnosed within various theoretical frameworks.

Descriptive Developmental Model

A model focusing on detailed descriptions across language components to inform therapy goals.

Systems Model

A model acknowledging that language difficulties may arise from environmental factors as well as individual capabilities.

Infant Social Interaction

The innate need for social connection observed from birth, important for language acquisition.

Chomsky

Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and Universal Grammar – humans are biologically predisposed to acquire language.

Piaget

Cognitive Development/Maturation Theory– language emerges as cognition develops (sensorimotor, preoperational, etc.).

Skinner

Operant Conditioning / Behaviorism – language learned through reinforcement and imitation

Bandura

Social Learning Theory – Children can learn through observing others in addition to direct experience.

Bates

Emergentism – language emerges from the interaction of cognitive, social, and environmental factors.

Vygotsky

Zone of Proximal Development – learning occurs through social interaction and scaffolding.