Which theory posits that children learn language by imitation and reinforcement?

The theory that posits that children learn language through imitation and reinforcement is behaviorism. This approach, largely associated with B.F. Skinner, suggests that language acquisition occurs as children mimic the speech they hear in their environment. Through a system of rewards and punishments, children receive positive reinforcement when they correctly use language, which encourages them to repeat similar linguistic behaviors. The focus in behaviorism is on observable behavior rather than internal cognitive processes, emphasizing the role of the environment in shaping language use.

In contrast, generative grammar emphasizes innate grammatical structures that pre-exist in the human mind, cognitive development focuses on the mental processes involved in language acquisition, and social interactionism highlights the role of social contexts and interactions in learning language. Each of these theories provides a unique perspective, but behaviorism specifically underscores the importance of imitation and reinforcement in the language learning process.