Which of the following statements best represents the interactionist view of language acquisition?

• A. Children learn language exclusively through imitation and reinforcement from caregivers.
• B. Language is acquired solely through innate mechanisms without the need for social interaction.
• C. Language development results from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences.
• D. Language acquisition is determined only by the amount of exposure to spoken words.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the interactionist view of language acquisition, which proposes that language development is influenced by both innate biological factors and environmental experiences.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this view contrasts with purely behaviorist theories (which emphasize imitation and reinforcement) and nativist theories (which emphasize innate mechanisms alone).
3. Step 3: Analyze each statement to see if it reflects a combination of biological predispositions and environmental input, rather than focusing exclusively on one or the other.
4. Step 4: Identify that the statement 'Language development results from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences' best captures the interactionist perspective.
5. Step 5: Conclude that this statement acknowledges the dynamic interplay between a child's innate capacities and their social environment, which is central to the interactionist approach.