Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Our view on language acquisition refers to the understanding and perspective we have regarding how individuals acquire and develop language skills.
Related terms
Nativist Perspective: This perspective suggests that humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language.
Behaviorist Perspective: This perspective, influenced by Skinner's operant conditioning theory, emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping language acquisition.
Interactionist Perspective: This perspective combines elements from both nativist and behaviorist perspectives, highlighting the interaction between innate abilities and environmental influences in language development.