Implicit Associative Learning and Language

Presenters: Arnaud Rey

In 1957, the publication of ìVerbal Behaviorî  by N. Chomsky and ìVerbal Behaviorî by B. F. Skinner introduced two radically different approaches to the study of language. After a brief and critical presentation of these approaches, I will pave the way to current approaches based on language use and implicit statistical learning, showing that these approaches have slowly created a favorable climate for a paradigm shift in the study of language processes. I might also argue that the central notion of syntax should certainly be reconsidered, if not abandoned, when language development is considered.

Keywords: First Language Acquisition, Language Evolution, Psycholinguistics, Syntax, Learning, Theoretical Frameworks

Presenters

Arnaud Rey

CNRS and University of Marseille

As a psychology researcher at the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) in Marseille (France), I work on the mechanisms involved in language perception and production, as well as on implicit statistical learning mechanisms in human and non-human primates.