The critical period theory origin and introduction
The critical period theory is a concept originating from the field of psychology and language acquisition. It was first introduced by Eric Lenneberg in his 1967 book "Biological Foundations of Language."
The theory suggests that there is a specific period in an individual's development during which they are most receptive to learning and acquiring new language skills. This critical period is believed to be in early childhood, typically ending around puberty.
During this critical period, the brain is said to be more plastic and adaptable, making it easier for children to pick up new languages and develop strong language skills. After this critical period, language learning is believed to become more difficult and less successful, as the brain becomes less flexible and more rigid.
The critical period theory has been the subject of much debate and research in the field of language acquisition, with some studies supporting the idea of a critical period and others finding evidence to the contrary. Nevertheless, the theory remains an important concept in understanding how and when individuals learn language.