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CTET 8 Feb 2026 Paper 1 English, Question 148

Topic: Language acquisition

Q148

Which of the following is not related to the Behaviourist theory of language acquisition ?

  1. (1) Empty vessel.
  2. (2) Trial and error.
  3. (3) Social interaction.Correct answer
  4. (4) Operant conditioning.

Solution.

CBSE answer: (3)

Answer: (3) Social interaction.

  1. Behaviourists (Skinner) see language as habits formed through imitation, practice and reinforcement.
  2. The child is an empty vessel, learns by trial and error, and responses are shaped by operant conditioning.
  3. Social interaction as the source of learning comes from Vygotsky's social-constructivist view.

Trap: (2) trial and error fits behaviourism through rewarded and unrewarded attempts.