Language Acquisition Theories (AS5 ENG 105)

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Questions and Answers

Who is noted as a leading figure in the development of behaviorism?

Sigmund Freud

Carl Rogers

John B. Watson (correct)

Abraham Maslow

What is the primary focus of behaviorism in psychology?

Emotional responses

Visible and measurable behaviors (correct)

Unconscious thoughts

Internal mental processes

What type of reinforcement strengthens a behavior by adding praise or rewards?

Punishment by application

Negative reinforcement

Punishment by removal

Positive reinforcement (correct)

Which of the following describes positive punishment in operant conditioning?

Adding an unfavorable event to weaken a response Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of negative punishment?

Taking away privileges after bad behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist is best known for the concept of classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov Signup and view all the answers

What was the main finding of Pavlov's experiments with dogs?

Dogs salivate at the sound of a bell paired with food. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for a learning method that uses rewards and punishments to influence behavior?

Operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is classical conditioning?

A process where two stimuli are repeatedly paired. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reinforcement in behaviorist teaching strategies?

To strengthen desired behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which step involves students repeating the word after seeing the picture?

Practice Signup and view all the answers

In behaviorist theory, language is primarily acquired through which method?

Conditioning and reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

Who was a major proponent of the behaviorist perspective on language development?

B.F. Skinner Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of modeling in teaching language according to behaviorist theory?

To provide examples for imitation Signup and view all the answers

In the generalization step of teaching, what do students learn to do?

Differentiate between multiple fruits Signup and view all the answers

How does a teacher reinforce correct language use according to behavioral strategies?

Through rewards and verbal praise Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Background of Behaviorism

Behaviorism emerged as a dominant psychological approach in the early 1900s.
Prominent figures include John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, who emphasized observable behaviors over mental processes.
Watson argued that psychology should focus solely on measurable and visible behaviors, ignoring internal thoughts.

Proponents of Behaviorist Theory

B.F. Skinner
- Developed Operant Conditioning, a learning method using rewards and punishments to influence behavior.
- Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring; can be positive or negative.
  - Positive Reinforcement: Strengthening behavior through rewards or praise.
  - Negative Reinforcement: Strengthening behavior through the removal of unpleasant stimuli.
- Punishment: Used to decrease the likelihood of unwanted behaviors.
  - Positive Punishment: Applying unfavorable outcomes to reduce behaviors (e.g., spanking).
  - Negative Punishment: Removing pleasurable outcomes to reduce behaviors (e.g., taking away a video game).
Ivan Pavlov
- Known for his work on Classical Conditioning, notably his experiments with dogs.
- Classical Conditioning involves pairing stimuli to create a new learned response (e.g., dogs salivating at the sound of a bell associated with food).

Behaviorist Teaching Strategies

Scenario for Teaching the Word "Apple":
- Presentation: Introduce a picture of an apple, stating "This is an apple."
- Repetition: Reinforce learning by repeatedly stating "apple" while pointing to the picture.
- Reinforcement: Praise students or provide rewards when they correctly identify the apple.
- Practice: Have students repeat the word when they see the picture, using real apples for hands-on learning.
- Generalization: Introduce other fruits to help students identify apples amidst them, continuing to use praise and rewards for correct answers.

Behaviorist Theory on Language Learning and Acquisition

Teaching Techniques:
- Rewards and Praise: Used to reinforce correct language use and encourage positive behavior.
- Modeling: Teachers demonstrate correct pronunciation and sentence structures for students to imitate.
- Focus on Imitation: Encourages repetition of language examples to form connections between sounds and meanings.
Behaviorists view language as behaviors or habits learned through social interactions and environmental stimuli.
B.F. Skinner's perspective suggests that children learn language similarly to animals learning behaviors, through reinforcement and punishment principles.

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Description

This quiz explores principles and theories of language acquisition and learning, focusing on behaviorism and its key figures such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. It highlights the shift from mental processes to observable behaviors in the study of psychology. Prepare to deepen your understanding of these foundational concepts in language education.