B.F. Skinner's Behaviorist Theory and Language Acquisition

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to B.F. Skinner's Behaviorist Theory, Operant/Classical Conditioning, and concepts of Bilingualism and Code Switching.

B.F. Skinner

Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990) was an influential American psychologist identified as the most influential psychologist of the 20th century and the founder of operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when a learner's behavior is followed by consequences or reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the frequency of a behavior when applied (adding something).

Negative Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the frequency of a behavior when something unpleasant is removed (taking away something).

Positive Punishment

A consequence involving adding something unpleasant to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment

A consequence involving taking away something pleasant to decrease a behavior.

Classical Conditioning

Developed by Ivan Pavlov, a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate two stimuli after repeated pairings.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally causes a response, such as food.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The automatic, natural response to an unconditioned stimulus, such as salivating when food is presented.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that produces no response other than catching attention, such as a bell.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus, triggers a response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus, such as salivating when hearing a bell even without food.

Behaviorist Theory (Language Acquisition)

Theory stating language is not innate but acquired through imitation, practice, reinforcement, and habit formation.

Imitation

A learning process where children hear adults speak and copy the sounds, words, and sentences.

Reinforcement (Language)

When parents respond positively to a child's correct language use, increasing the likelihood the child will use the word again.

Practice

The repeated use of language that helps children become more fluent and accurate while strengthening language habits.

Habit Formation

The process over time where repeated language patterns become automatic, allowing children to communicate effectively.

Chomsky's Criticism

The argument that children have an innate ability for language, can create never-before-heard sentences, and make systematic grammatical errors like 'I goed'.

Bilingualism

The ability to speak and understand two or more languages effectively.

Simultaneous Bilingual

A person who learns two or more languages at the same time, usually from birth.

Sequential Bilingual

A person who learns their first language first and then acquires a second language later, typically between ages 2 and 6.

Coordinate Bilingualism

Type of bilingualism where languages are learned in different settings with separate meaning and context (e.g., English at school, Urdu at home).

Compound Bilingualism

Type of bilingualism where languages are learned in the same environment and share one common meaning.

Sub-coordinate Bilingualism

Type of bilingualism where the second language is understood through the first language by translating into the native language.

Code Switching

A common language practice in bilingual communities involving switching between two or more languages to make communication more effective.

Inter-sentential Code-Switching

Switching from one language to another between two separate sentences.

Intra-sentential Code-Switching

Switching from one language to another within the same sentence.

Tag Switching (Emblematic Switching)

Inserting short words, phrases, or expressions from another language into a sentence (e.g., '…diba?').