Skinner's positive and negative reinforcement is a key feature throughout this transcript one example is when Tom starts off with referring to his bike as ''the dad bike'' and his Mother responds with the correct version saying ''Dad's bike'' it can be suggested that children that Tom contrasts Chomsky's theory that children do not learn from imitation when Tom responds with ''yeah (.) the dad (.) dad's bike (.) dad's bike mum (.) dad's bike''. Tom can see where his mistake is when he says ''the dad'' but he is quick to correct himself, Tom repeats the word ''dad's bike'' three times to ensure that he gets a clear understanding of it and fully remembers the word.
Tom's mother again continues to correct Tom through negative reinforcement through accuracy saying ''You're not on dad's bike (.) you're on your bike'' it becomes quite clear that Tom know's he is not on his fathers bike when he says ''I am on dad's bike but i not on dad's bike'' suggesting that this is just over extension of the word ''dad's bike'' meaning every bike.
Tom's mother uses negative reinforcement through actions when Tom notices the tape recorder, Tom's mother says ''don't touch (.) don't touch''.
In text B there is evidence of Tom supporting Chomsky's theory of children inheriting the ability to learn human language when he says ''is (.) dat your talker'' the micropause in the sentence can suggest that Tom needed a moment to think of the word used to describe the tape recorder Tom's mother attempts to help Tom learn this phrase when she reformulates what he says ''my talker? yeah (.) that's a tape recorder'' reformulation is method that is used to subtly correct the speaker without bringing any clear attention to the error. Another example of reformulation is when the Mother says ''what you squashed it'' and Tom responds saying ''yeah (.) I squashed it'' this is an example of Tom noticing the change and learning it through imitation, this contrasts Chomsky's theory of children inheriting the ability of learning human language.
Some good exploration - try and offer alternative interpretations e.g. is he overextending or is he using Halliday's imaginative function?
ReplyDeleteRemember to avoid saying correct/incorrect and use standard/non-standard instead.
I like the use of multiple examples of reformulation to show awareness of patterns - this is high level.
Much more theory discussion needed to improve.