What principle underlies the behaviorist model of language development?

The behaviorist model of language development emphasizes the importance of repetition and reinforcement in acquiring language skills. According to this perspective, language learning occurs as children are exposed to language in their environment. They mimic sounds, words, and sentences, and through repeated practice and reinforcement (such as praise or correction), they gradually become proficient.

This principle suggests that language mastery is not the result of innate abilities or inherent understanding, but rather a process driven by environmental stimuli and the systematic repetition of language use. For instance, a child may learn new vocabulary or grammatical structures by hearing them repeatedly in various contexts and through the responses they receive from caregivers and peers.

Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors, and language acquisition is thus seen as the result of external influences rather than internal cognitive processes or social interactions, which distinguishes it from alternative theories of language development.