According to theory of language development which factor predicts communication?

It's important to clarify that there's no single "theory of language development" but rather several prominent ones. Each emphasizes different factors, and some focus on predicting *language acquisition* (learning to speak) while others emphasize *communication* (meaningful exchange of information).

Here are some key factors that influence communication across different theories:

1. Nativist (Chomsky): This theory emphasizes innate, biologically-determined language abilities.

* Prediction: The presence of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) in the brain predicts the ability to acquire language and communicate. However, this theory doesn't directly address factors predicting communication *beyond* language itself.

2. Social Interactionist (Vygotsky): This theory stresses the role of social interaction in language development.

* Prediction: The quality and quantity of social interactions, particularly with adults, predict communication skills. Factors like the richness of the environment, opportunities to engage in conversation, and exposure to language models are crucial.

3. Cognitive (Piaget): This theory links language development to cognitive development.

* Prediction: The development of cognitive abilities like memory, attention, and categorization predict language comprehension and expression. A child's ability to understand concepts and think symbolically influences their ability to communicate.

4. Behaviorist (Skinner): This theory focuses on the role of reinforcement and conditioning.

* Prediction: The frequency and quality of reinforcement for language use predict communication skills. This includes rewards for accurate communication, and correction for errors.

5. Connectionist (Rumelhart): This theory emphasizes the role of neural networks and processing information.

* Prediction: The complexity and interconnectedness of neural networks predict the ability to learn and use language, and therefore, to communicate.

In summary, predicting communication is complex and influenced by many factors. There is no single factor that guarantees communication.

Here's a simplified way to think about it:

* Biological factors (like the LAD) lay the foundation for language acquisition.

* Cognitive abilities (like memory and categorization) allow for language processing.

* Social interaction (like exposure to language and opportunities for conversation) foster communication skills.

* Environmental factors (like reinforcement and feedback) shape language use.

These factors work together to influence communication development in children and adults.