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Jose: Hi, Sun.
Sun: Hi, Jose. How are you?
Jose: Thanks for asking. I'm not feeling too well today. I couldn't sleep last night because I had this awful headache. I took a couple of aspirin, but that didn't work. I'm still under the weather. How about you? How are you?
Sun: Oh, I'm fine. Thanks.

Which of the following statements best reflects the behaviorist perspective on language acquisition?

Rationale

A student's mind is a blank slate that responds to environmental stimuli.

The behaviorist perspective on language acquisition posits that learning occurs through interactions with the environment, where responses to stimuli shape behavior. This view emphasizes external factors and reinforcement rather than innate abilities or internal cognitive processes.

A (A student's mind is a blank slate that responds to environmental stimuli.) CORRECT

This statement aligns closely with the behaviorist perspective, which argues that individuals learn language by being conditioned through their interactions with the environment. The emphasis on external stimuli and learned responses illustrates the foundational beliefs of behaviorism.

B (A student is born with an innate ability to acquire language.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement reflects a nativist perspective, notably championed by theorists like Noam Chomsky, who argue that humans possess an inherent capability for language development. This view contradicts behaviorism, which focuses on learned responses rather than innate faculties.

C (A student actively takes ownership of information in a way that provides meaning.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement suggests a constructivist approach, where learners are seen as active participants in their own learning process, constructing knowledge through experiences. This perspective diverges from behaviorism, which views learning as a reaction to external stimuli rather than an active construction of meaning.

D (A student has a limited period of time to acquire full native-like competence in a language.) YOUR ANSWER

While there is a critical period hypothesis in language acquisition, this statement does not capture the essence of behaviorism. It implies a time constraint on learning rather than focusing on the mechanisms of learning through environmental interaction and conditioning.

Conclusion

The behaviorist perspective emphasizes that language acquisition occurs through learned responses to environmental stimuli, encapsulated in the idea that a student's mind is a blank slate. In contrast, other perspectives like nativism and constructivism highlight innate abilities and active meaning-making, which do not align with the behaviorist framework. Understanding these distinctions clarifies the foundational beliefs about how language is acquired.

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