Purchase Solution

Skinner's application of behaviorist theory to language development

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

After returning from a shopping trip with his mother, little Bobby reported, â??I goed to the store and eated candy.â? Why might a behaviorist such as B. F. Skinner have had some difficulty explaining Bobby's incorrect grammatical construction? What sort of theory could explain the errors? What would that explanation be?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Skinner's application of behaviorist theory to language development is briefly summarized. Reference is also provided to further validate the findings.

Solution Preview

B. F. Skinner opined that children learned language by mimicking the language they hear in the environment and then receiving either positive reinforcement or correction from their parents or other caregivers (see attached article or ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud

This quiz explores the personality theory of psychoanalysis, in particular reference to how Freud conceptualized of this theory.

Developmental Psychology

This quiz explores the concepts, theories and key terminology associated with human psychological development.

Childhood Disorders (Axis 1)

This quiz is designed to test one's knowledge on childhood Principle Disorders found in the DSM-IV (1994). This is a good quiz for those who wish to pursue a career in child assessment or child development. Good luck.

The Psychology of Sleep

This quiz is to check your understanding of the sleep-related part of psychology.

Sigmund Freud

How much do you know about Sigmund Freud's theories? Find out with this quiz!

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Language Development - BF Skinner

    In this particular task, you are asking for help in putting together a discussion on the topic of language development based on Skinner's theory. I suggest using this simple outline: 1. On B.F. Skinner's theory - 100 words 2.

  • B.F. Skinner Theory of Motor Development

    It is a behaviorist theory of development; operant conditioning refers to the process of changing behavior by the using reinforcements; these reinforcements are administered after the desired response.

  • Behaviorist Theories and the Adult Learner

    The behaviorist orientation has been foundational to much educational practice including adult learning. Skinner in particular has addressed the application of his theory to educational issues.

  • Nature vs. Nurture/Knowledge Acquisition

    Relative to the empiricist position (i.e. Skinner's behaviorist view), research supports the findings of Van Hulle et al (2004) to suggest that speech acquisition is primarily under nurture influences.

  • Frodo Baggins and psychological theory

    479250 Character Analysis of Frodo Baggins Using the fictional character Frodo Baggins (from the movie Lord of the Rings), describe his character/personality using Carl Roger's Humanistic Theory, and again using B.F. Skinner's Behaviorist Theory.

  • B.F. Skinner's Behavioral Theory

    Skinner's Behavioral Theory I need assistance writing a narrative on stability, contrallability, self-image, success in academic tasks, and applicability of behavioral theory to adult education in relationship to B.F. Skinner's Behvorial Theory.

  • Online Instruction: Theories of Learning

    When, the destructive behavior has been reduced and/or eliminate, according to Skinner's theory, learning has occurred (learning takes place because of the negative reinforcer).

  • Early Childhood Theorists

    Implications for the classroom: Focuses on language development and suggests that "Children are born with the Universal Grammar wired into their brains" These are classrooms that the authentic creation of language is not tied to cognitive development

  • Explain the Skinner Theory on Criminal Behavior

    547745 Skinner Theory Explain the Skinner Theory on criminal behavior. B.F. Skinner is a behaviorist. That is, he is concerned with observable behavior. He emphasized that the environment is a key determinant of behavior.

View More Related Solutions