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."
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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.
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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.
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