What did Chomsky argue was responsible for determining language development?

Chomsky's theory emphasizes the role of universal grammar and internal language mechanisms in language development, suggesting that external reinforcement through rewards and punishments is not the primary driver of linguistic competence. While behavioral factors may play a role in language acquisition, Chomsky's focus on innate structures places greater significance on internal cognitive processes.

Associative learning theories, such as those based on conditioning and stimulus-response mechanisms, propose that language development occurs through the reinforcement of word associations with pleasant stimuli. However, Chomsky's perspective diverges from this view by highlighting the importance of innate language mechanisms that transcend simple associative processes.

While social interaction and language exposure certainly contribute to language development, Chomsky's theory emphasizes that mere imitation of adult speech patterns is insufficient to explain the complexity and creativity of human language. Instead, he posited that children possess an innate linguistic capacity that enables them to generate and comprehend an infinite number of novel utterances.