Match the following correctly: A. Behaviourist – (i) Piaget B. Innateness – (ii) Bruner C. Cognitive – (iii) Skinner D. Interaction – (iv) Chomsky

Q: Match the following correctly: A. Behaviourist – (i) Piaget B. Innateness – (ii) Bruner C. Cognitive – (iii) Skinner D. Interaction – (iv) Chomsky

Match the following correctly: A. Behaviourist – (i) Piaget B. Innateness – (ii) Bruner C. Cognitive – (iii) Skinner D. Interaction – (iv) Chomsky

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:

This question tests your fundamental knowledge of the primary theories and theorists in first and second language acquisition. The correct match is A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii. The Behaviourist approach (A) links to B.F. Skinner (iii) because he argued that language is learned purely through environmental stimuli, imitation, repetition, and reinforcement (operant conditioning). The Innateness Hypothesis (B) is most famously associated with Noam Chomsky (iv), who proposed the existence of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and Universal Grammar, suggesting that humans are genetically predisposed to acquire language. The Cognitive Theory (C) finds its foundation in the work of Jean Piaget (i), who asserted that language acquisition is a part of and dependent upon general cognitive development, meaning children must first develop certain intellectual abilities before they can acquire language structure. Finally, the Interactionist Theory (D) is tied to Jerome Bruner (ii), who, while respecting innateness, emphasized the crucial role of social interaction and a Language Acquisition Support System (LASS), highlighting the interaction between a child’s natural abilities and their social environment.

The incorrect option is 1:
A-i (Behaviourist – Piaget) is incorrect because Piaget is the leading figure in the Cognitive theory of language acquisition, not the Behaviourist school. B-iii (Innateness – Skinner) is incorrect as Skinner represents the behaviorist view, which directly opposes the nativist/innateness theory championed by Chomsky. C-ii (Cognitive – Bruner) is incorrect because Bruner is the key figure associated with the Interactionist perspective, not the pure Cognitive perspective.

The incorrect option is 2:
A-iv (Behaviourist – Chomsky) is fundamentally incorrect, as Chomsky’s theory of Innateness was a direct critique and rejection of the Behaviourist model of language learning. B-i (Innateness – Piaget) incorrectly links the Innateness theory with Piaget, who belongs to the Cognitive school, focusing on developmental stages rather than an innate language module. C-iii (Cognitive – Skinner) is incorrect because Skinner is the figurehead for Behaviorism, which focuses on external stimuli rather than internal cognitive structures.

The incorrect option is 4:
A-ii (Behaviourist – Bruner) incorrectly pairs Behaviourism with Bruner, who is known for his Social Interactionist perspective. C-iv (Cognitive – Chomsky) is incorrect because Chomsky belongs to the Innateness/Nativist school, which sees language as separate from general cognitive development, whereas the Cognitive theory links language directly to general intellectual growth (Piaget). D-i (Interaction – Piaget) is incorrect as Piaget is the primary proponent of the Cognitive theory, while Bruner is the correct match for Interactionism.