Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What is the relationship between babbling in infants and reinforcement according to Skinner's theory?

1. Babbling is discouraged by adults

2. Babbling is ignored by adults

3. Babbling is reinforced by adults, aiding learning

4. Babbling has no relevance to learning

The correct answer is: Babbling is reinforced by adults, aiding learning

The relationship between babbling in infants and reinforcement according to Skinner's theory is that babbling is reinforced by adults, which aids in the child's language learning process. Skinner's behaviorist perspective suggests that behavior is shaped through the process of reinforcement. When infants engage in babbling, if adults respond positively—through attention, smiles, or verbal encouragement—this serves as a reinforcement for the behavior, making it more likely that the infant will continue to babble. This positive reinforcement helps infants learn that their vocalizations can lead to social interactions and responses, further motivating them to practice and develop their language skills. In this context, the other options do not align with Skinner's theory. If babbling were discouraged or ignored by adults, it would not serve the function of reinforcement and could potentially reduce the frequency of babbling. Similarly, stating that babbling has no relevance to learning contradicts the premise of reinforcement as a crucial mechanism by which learning occurs in behaviorism. Therefore, the reinforcement of babbling is essential for facilitating language acquisition in infants.