International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy
  

Volume 8 Num. 3 - October 2008

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Language Is Complex

Volume 8 Num. 3 - October 2008 - Pages 351-362

Authors:

Rick Dale , Jennifer Roche , Nicholas Duran

Abstract:

In this commentary, we consider three good ideas from Verbal Behavior that have become
central to some recent cognitive theories of language learning and use: social contingencies,
multiple causality, and piecemeal syntactic growth. Following this, we identify two weaknesses
of the book that may still invite new avenues of application of a behavioral framework to
language: comprehension precedes production, and the vast complexity of syntax in normal
usage. We end by briefly considering how behavioral, cognitive, and other frameworks
should seek ways to integrate in an attempt to tackle the daunting complexity of language
behavior.

Key words:

language, complexity, learning, cognition, syntax, pluralism.

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