Theory of Mentalism by Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky introduced a groundbreaking perspective in linguistics with his mentalism theory, transforming our understanding of language acquisition and cognitive processes. Unlike behaviorist theories that associate language learning with external stimuli, mentalism posits that humans have an innate linguistic ability. Central to this theory are the concepts of Universal Grammar (UG) and the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) , which suggest a common structure in all languages and an inborn mechanism that aids in language learning. This mentalism framework redefines traditional language theories, highlighting the creative and generative nature of human language. Critique of Behaviorism in Language Learning Chomsky's mentalism directly challenged behaviorist ideas, particularly those of B.F. Skinner , that dominated mid-20th-century psychology. Behaviorism focused on observable behaviors and environmental stimuli, emphasizing language as a learned behavior. However, Chomsky argued that…
