Theories and Approaches to Second Language Acquisition
Behavior analysis
The term "behaviorism" was coined by John Watson (1878–1959). Watson believed the behaviorist view is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science with a goal to predict and control behavior.[7][8] In an article in the Psychological Review, he stated that, "Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. Introspection forms no essential part of its methods, nor is the scientific value of its data dependent upon the readiness with which they lend themselves to interpretation in terms of consciousness."[9]
CognitivismCognitive theories grew out of Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychology was developed in Germany in the early 1900s by Wolfgang Kohler[23] and was brought to America in the 1920s. The German word Gestaltis roughly equivalent to the English configuration or organization and emphasizes the whole of human experience.[24] Over the years, the Gestalt psychologists provided demonstrations and described principles to explain the way we organize our sensations into perceptions
Constructivism
Founded by Jean Piaget, constructivism emphasizes the importance of the active involvement of learners in constructing knowledge for themselves. Students are thought to use background knowledge and concepts to assist them in their acquisition of novel information. On approaching such new information, the learner faces a loss of equilibrium with their previous understanding, and this demands a change in cognitive structure. This change effectively combines previous and novel information to form an improved cognitive schema. Constructivism can be both subjectively and contextually based. Under the theory of radical constructivism, coined by Ernst von Glasersfeld, understanding relies on one's subjective interpretation of experience as opposed to objective "reality". Similarly, William Cobern's idea of contextual constructivism encompasses the effects of culture and society on experience.[34]
Transformative learning theory
Transformative learning theory seeks to explain how humans revise and reinterpret meaning.[40] Transformative learning is the cognitive process of effecting change in a frame of reference.[41] A frame of reference defines our view of the world. The emotions are often involved.[42] Adults have a tendency to reject any ideas that do not correspond to their particular values, associations and concepts.[41]
