According to the behaviorist view, how is language learned?

The behaviorist view posits that language is learned through imitation, practice, and reinforcement. This theory suggests that individuals, particularly children, acquire language by copying the speech of those around them and gradually refining their language skills through repetition and practice in various contexts. As learners mimic sounds, structures, and vocabulary, they receive positive feedback from their environment, which encourages further language use. Over time, through this process of trial and error coupled with reinforcement, they develop competence in their language abilities.

Other options reflect different theories of language acquisition. The notion of innate abilities and critical periods aligns more closely with nativist theories, which argue that humans are born with an inherent capability for language learning. Social interaction and environmental influences are central to sociocultural theories that emphasize the role of interaction in language development. Finally, the detection of universal grammar rules is associated with the generative grammar perspective, which suggests access to a set of grammatical principles common across languages. Each of these perspectives offers valuable insights, but in the context of the behaviorist view, the emphasis is squarely on the processes of imitation and reinforcement in language learning.