Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What is a key characteristic of the Interactionist Approach to language development?

1. Focus on innate abilities

2. Requires social interaction for development

3. Based solely on environmental factors

4. Emphasizes brain biological perspectives

The correct answer is: Requires social interaction for development

The key characteristic of the Interactionist Approach to language development is that it requires social interaction for development. This perspective posits that language acquisition occurs through a dynamic interplay between inherent biological capabilities and environmental influences, particularly through social engagement and communication with others. This approach emphasizes that while individuals may have innate language faculties, the opportunities for practice and reinforcement within social contexts are crucial for developing these abilities. Interactionists believe that children learn language most effectively when they engage in communicative interactions with peers and caregivers, which helps them acquire the nuances of language in a meaningful way. Essentially, this perspective highlights the importance of social environments in facilitating language learning, suggesting that without interaction, language skills may not develop as thoroughly. This contrasts with views that focus solely on innate abilities or environmental factors in isolation. It also differs from purely biological perspectives that do not account for the necessity of social components in the language development process.