OPERANT, RESPONDENT, AND UNCONDITIONED REFLEX RESPONSES IN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Abstract

This paper presents a functional approach to the earlv acquisition of language We proposed that language arises from a shaping process of reflex responses that change into operants and respondents during mother-child interaction. ln support of this, we present an analysis of siX mother-child dyads videotaped from birth to 1 2 months of age. The ehildren related with the predominant interactive pattern of their mothers, whose eommunicative style eould be charaeterized in two ways: Either a style based predominantly Qn the use of mands or one based on social communication rather than controlling their children’s behavlor.