Explain BF Skinner's behaviourism

Led by BF Skinner in the 1950s and 1960s, it was the position that children acquire
language just as they acquire other behaviors-through a system of Positive and Negative
Reinforcement. A child is encouraged to imitate the language and behavior if its parents and
receives Positive Reinforcement in the form of gratification of needs. Positive reinforcement- a child
will be more likely to speak like this again. Negative reinforcement- a child is less likely to use the
response because it is corrected or no praise is given at all.

What to look for in the text: Adults explicitly teaching, with children responding. Children imitating/
repeating adult’s speech. Children repairing mistakes after being corrected by adults.

MZ
Answered by Martin Z. English Language tutor

4618 Views

See similar English Language A Level tutors

Related English Language A Level answers

All answers ▸

Evaluate the idea that British Standard English is superior to other varieties of English used around the world.


What is the difference between deontic and epistemic modal verbs?


Can you please give an example of Grice's maxim of quantity?


Explain what a determiner is and highlight its two different forms.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning