Which of the following psychologists is associated with language development?

Concept

Psychologists are associated with language development when their theories explain the innate or cognitive mechanisms by which children acquire language.

An innateness account holds that humans possess a biologically prepared capacity for grammar; universal constraints help explain the speed and consistency of children's language acquisition.

Application

Among the given psychologists, Chomsky directly explained language acquisition through an inborn capacity for grammar. Therefore, the psychologist associated with language development is Chomsky.

Contrast

• Binet is chiefly associated with intelligence testing, not a theory of language acquisition.

• Pavlov is chiefly associated with classical conditioning, not an innate theory of language development.

• Maslow is chiefly associated with the hierarchy of needs and motivation, not language acquisition.

Cross-check

Matching each name to the field for which the psychologist is best known leaves Chomsky as the only option centered on language acquisition.

Result: Chomsky.