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Difficulty: MediumComparative Relationships

The debate over language acquisition in children has historically been defined by two contrasting paradigms. B. F. Skinner, a pioneer of behaviorism, argued that language is acquired through environmental conditioning. In his view, children learn language by imitating adult speakers and receiving positive reinforcement—such as praise or successful communication—when they produce correct utterances. According to Skinner, the human mind begins as a blank slate, and linguistic capacity is constructed entirely from external stimuli.

Conversely, linguist Noam Chomsky proposed a nativist theory, arguing that reinforcement alone cannot account for the rapid, creative ways children learn language. Chomsky pointed out that children routinely produce sentences they have never heard before, a phenomenon he termed the 'poverty of the stimulus.' He hypothesized that humans are born with an innate Language Acquisition Device (LAD) containing universal grammar rules. While Skinner viewed language learning as an active process of habit formation driven by external rewards, Chomsky conceptualized it as the natural unfolding of an internal biological blueprint triggered by environmental exposure.

According to the passage, which of the following statements best describes how Skinner's and Chomsky's theories differ regarding the primary driver of language acquisition?

  1. A
    Skinner argues that children acquire language through an innate grammatical device, whereas Chomsky contends that language is learned through imitation and reinforcement.
  2. B
    Skinner views language learning as a product of conscious biological unfolding, whereas Chomsky claims that the environment plays absolutely no role in triggering a child's linguistic development.
  3. Skinner attributes language acquisition to external environmental reinforcement and conditioning, whereas Chomsky attributes it to an innate biological system.Answer
  4. D
    Skinner prioritizes the study of creative and novel sentences, whereas Chomsky focuses on the repetition of established phrases in adult speech.

Answer

Skinner attributes language acquisition to external environmental reinforcement and conditioning, whereas Chomsky attributes it to an innate biological system.
The correct answer accurately states the core contrast established in the passage: Skinner believed that language learning is driven by external reinforcement and environmental conditioning, whereas Chomsky argued that it is driven by an innate, internal biological blueprint.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Skinner's view on the driver of language acquisition.
The text states Skinner believed language is acquired through environmental conditioning and positive reinforcement (external stimuli).
To define the first component of the comparison.
2
Identify Chomsky's view on the driver of language acquisition.
The text states Chomsky proposed that humans are born with an innate Language Acquisition Device containing universal grammar (internal biology).
To define the second component of the comparison.
3
Evaluate the options to find the one that accurately contrasts these two drivers.
The option asserting that Skinner attributes language acquisition to external reinforcement and Chomsky to an innate biological system matches the passage.
To select the correct answer based on the textual comparison.

Key Concept

Comparative Relationships
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Comparative Relationships

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