Abstract
The author analyzes pertinent aspects of Piaget's and Chomsky's point of view on language and thought, indicating the similarities in their attempts to understand the underlying structures of both functions. The major difference between Chomsky and Piaget is that the latter considers all cognitive acquisitions, including language, to be the outcome of the gradual process of construction; whereas the former seems to be assuming as innate a general ability to synthesize the successive levels reached by an increasingly complex cognitive organization. Citing examples drawn from ongoing research in Geneva, the author also challenges Chomsky's assertion that there exist highly innate specific capacities which account for the principles underlying the development of scientific knowledge.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bronckart, J. P. (1976).Genèse et Organisation des Formes Verbales chez l'Enfant, Dessart et Mardaga, Brussels.
Bronckart, J. P., and Sinclair, H. (1973) Tense, time and aspect.Cognition 2:107–130.
Brown, R. W. (1973).A First Language: The Early Stages, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.
Bruner, J. S. (1975). From communication to language: A psychological perspective.Cognition 3:255–287.
Chomsky, N. (1964). A review of B. F. Skinner'sVerbal Behavior. In Fodor, J. A., and Katz, J. J. (eds.),The Structure of Language: Readings in the Philosophy of Language, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Chomsky, N. (1975).Reflections on Language, Pantheon Books, New York.
Cromer, R. F. (1974). The development of language and cognition: The cognition hypothesis. In Foss, E. N. (ed.),New Perspectives in Child Development, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, pp. 184–252.
Ferreiro, E. (1971).Les Relations Temporelles dans le Langage de l'Enfant, Droz, Paris.
Inhelder, B., Sinclair, H., and Bovet, M. (1974).Apprentissage des Structures de la Connaissance, P.U.F., Paris (trans.:Learning and the Development of Cognition, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1974).
Karmiloff-Smith, A. (1976). The interplay between syntax, semantics and phonology in language acquisition processes. InProceedings of the Stirling Conference on the Psychology of Language, Plenum, London.
Piaget, J. (1966). Le langage et le pensée du point de vue génétique. InSix Études de Psychologie, Gonthier, Geneva. (trans.:Six Psychological Studies, Random House, New York, 1967.)
Piaget, J., et al. (1978).Dialogue on Language and Thought. In Rieber, R. E., and Voyat, G. E. (eds.), Larry Ehrlbaum Press, New York.
Sinclair, A., Sinclair, H., and Marcellus, O. (1971). Young children's comprehension and production of passive sentences.Arch. Psychol. 41:1–22.
Sinclair, H. (1971). Sensorimotor action patterns as a condition for the acquisition of syntax. In Huxley, R., and Ingram, E. (eds.),Language Acquisition: Models and Methods, Academic Press, New York.
Sinclair, H., and Bronckart, J. P. (1972). S.V.O.-A linguistic universal? A study in developmental psycholinguistics.J. Child Exp. Psychol. 14:329–340.
Sinclair, H., and Ferreiro, E. (1970). Production et repetition des phrases au mode passif.Arch. Psychol. 40:1–42.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated by Gilbert Voyat, Graduate Faculty, City College, and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, in collaboration with Donald Nicholson-Smith.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Inhelder, B. Language and thought: Some remarks on Chomsky and Piaget. J Psycholinguist Res 7, 263–268 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01068109
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01068109