PREAMBLE
The Behaviorist Theory focuses on the use of imitation and practice for language
acquisition. According to this theory, babies learn oral language from the humans in their
environment through imitation, rewards and practice. When a baby tries to speak a word and
succeeds, parents and other adults in his world often praise him. The behaviorist theory
emerges on the basis of following assumptions:
 Language learning is a habit formation resembling the formation of other habits. That is,
a language is learned in the way in which other habits are learned.
 Free will is illusory, and all behavior is determined by the environment either through
association or reinforcement.
Human acquire a language as discrete units of habits, independently trained, not as an
integrated system. This theory puts emphasis on three important factors - stimulus, response
and reinforcement.
The Innatist Theory on the other hand is concerned with the oral language development
theory states that learning is a natural process for human beings. The Innatist Theory gives rise
to the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) which is thought to be a part of the brain that
enables all children to grasp language naturally. The theoretical assumptions underlying the
Innatist theory is as follows:
• Every human child possesses innate knowledge of language structure which called
Language Acquisition Device or LAD.
• Language learning is distinct from other cognitive capacities.
• Young children learn and apply grammatical rules and vocabulary as they are exposed to
them and do not require initial formal teaching.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BEHAVIORIST THEORY & INNATIST THEORY
a. These theories both help to describe some aspects of first language acquisition.
b. Both Behaviorist and Innatist are theories of language learning
c. They are not totally independent; one has been corrected by the other.
d. They are both able to adequately encompass the complexity of language acquisition.
e. They are some way logical in some aspect of acquiring first language.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BEHAVIORIST THEORY & INNATIST THEORY
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, neither account should be totally dismissed. They should be seen as complementary
rather than contradictory.
REFERENCES
Atchison, J. (1974). General Linguistics. UK: English Universities Press Ltd.
Brown, H.D. (2000). Principles of Language Learning And Teaching (4th edn.). New York:
Addison Wesley Longman, Inc
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