Which approach posits that language is learned through imitation of adult speech?

Which approach posits that language is learned through imitation of adult speech?

• A. Cognitive Approach
• B. Learning Approach
• C. Social Cognitive Approach
• D. Linguistic Approach

Answer: (B)

Language is learned through imitation and reinforcement. In the Learning Approach, language is treated as a set of behaviors that children acquire by copying what adults say and by receiving feedback that strengthens correct usage. When a child imitates a word or sentence and gets positive reinforcement—praise, encouragement, or successful communication—it’s more likely the behavior will be repeated and refined, leading to broader vocabulary and grammar over time. This emphasis on observable behavior and reinforcement distinguishes it from the Linguistic Approach, which argues language is largely innate, and from the Cognitive Approach, which focuses on internal mental development, while the Social Cognitive Approach includes modeling but centers on how social context and observation contribute to learning, not solely imitation as the mechanism.

Language is learned through imitation and reinforcement. In the Learning Approach, language is treated as a set of behaviors that children acquire by copying what adults say and by receiving feedback that strengthens correct usage. When a child imitates a word or sentence and gets positive reinforcement—praise, encouragement, or successful communication—it’s more likely the behavior will be repeated and refined, leading to broader vocabulary and grammar over time. This emphasis on observable behavior and reinforcement distinguishes it from the Linguistic Approach, which argues language is largely innate, and from the Cognitive Approach, which focuses on internal mental development, while the Social Cognitive Approach includes modeling but centers on how social context and observation contribute to learning, not solely imitation as the mechanism.