Wednesday 7 October 2015

behaviourism >>> krashen... pinker... skinner... chomsky

We have looked at what Steven Pinker has to say about languages:
Jay Doubleyou: steven pinker - and language
Jay Doubleyou: pragmatics: it ain't what you say it's the way that you say it

We have already considered the work of Stephen Krashen:

Second language learning
Krashen believes that there is no fundamental difference between the way we acquire our first language and our subsequent languages. He claims that humans have aninnate ability that guides the language learning process. Infants learn their mother tongue simply by listening attentively to spoken language that is (made) meaningful to them. Foreign languages are acquired in the same way.

More on innate language learning
The claim that humans possess an innate language learning ability stems from Chomsky (1965), who rejected Skinner's (1957) behaviourist theory that language learning is habit formation through stimulus and response. Chomsky called the special inborn language capability the Language Acquisition Device (LAD). From this he developed the theory that all languages share an underlying system named Universal Grammar. The hypothesis that the ability to learn language is innate has been restated more recently by linguist Steven Pinker who claims that this ability is "hard-wired in the genes".
Chomsky and Pinker are nativists. Their theories are opposed by contemporary empiricists such as Sampson (2005), who reiterate Skinner's claim that language develops in response to environmental influences. Other linguists and cognitive scientists, such as O'Grady (2005), agree that humans possess significant innate capabilities. However, they suggest that language learning depends on general cognitive faculties rather than on a specific language acquisition mechanism.

The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis
There are two ways of developing language ability: by acquisition and by learning. Acquisition is a sub-conscious process, as in the case of a child learning its own language or an adult 'picking up' a second language simply by living and working in a foreign country. Learning is the conscious process of developing a foreign language through language lessons and a focus on the grammatical features of that language.

More on the Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis
According to Krashen learned language cannot be turned into acquisition. It is pointless spending a lot of time learning grammar rules, since this will not help us become better users of the language in authentic situations. At most, the knowledge we gain about the language will help us in direct tests of that knowledge or in situations when we have time to self-correct, as in the editing of a piece of writing.

The Input Hypothesis
We acquire language in one way only: when we are exposed to input (written or spoken language) that is comprehensible to us. Comprehensible input is the necessary but also sufficient condition for language acquisition to take place. It requires no effort on the part of the learner.

An introduction to the work of Stephen Krashen
Jay Doubleyou: theories of language learning and teaching: behaviourism vs nativism
Jay Doubleyou: theories of language learning and teaching: input part two
Jay Doubleyou: antimoon

Are we all 'tabula rasa'?

Important evidence against the tabula rasa model of the mind comes from behavioural genetics, especially twin and adoption studies. These indicate strong genetic influences on personal characteristics such as IQalcoholismgender identity, and other traits.[11] 
Tabula rasa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Or are we born with distinct personalities and the ability to do things, including how to use language?
The Language Instinct - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jay Doubleyou: what makes us human: noam chomsky and human languages
BBC Radio 4 - A History of Ideas, Barry Smith on Noam Chomsky and Human Language, Noam Chomsky on Language Aquisition

But isn't it dangerous to think that we are all born 'unequal'?
Jay Doubleyou: in/equality - the pay gap - part 3

Noam Chomsky doesn't think so:
Jay Doubleyou: chomsky and language acquisition
Jay Doubleyou: propaganda, public relations and manufacturing consent

Nor does Steven Pinker:

On the other hand, if some people have less innate ability through no fault of their own, then this can be taken as support for redistribution policies to those with less innate ability.
The Blank Slate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jay Doubleyou: the fall and rise of social democracy?

But let's go back to the beginning:

A June 2002 survey listed Skinner as the most influential psychologist of the 20th century.[17]
B. F. Skinner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is quite a positive view of BF Skinner:



Social Engineering 101 - Skinner's Work - YouTube

This is not quite so positive:



HUMAN RESOURCES Social Engineering In The 20th Century HQ FULL - YouTube

And this is Chomsky on Skinner:
Noam Chomsky Vs. B. F. Skinner - YouTube

Skinner is considered rather creepy:



5 Creepy Ways Video Games Are Trying to Get You Addicted | Cracked.com

See also:
Jay Doubleyou: cognitive science and developmental neuroscience
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