Question

The idea that there is an optimal period in a child's life for acquiring language naturally is known as the:

• A. Innateness Hypothesis
• B. Interaction Hypothesis
• C. Critical Period Hypothesis
• D. Monitor Hypothesis

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Critical Period Hypothesis

Proposed by Eric Lenneberg (1967), it suggests that there is a biologically determined period — usually from birth to puberty — during which a child can acquire language effortlessly and naturally. After this period, language acquisition becomes significantly harder and may never reach full native-like proficiency.