What approach to language acquisition emphasizes biological influences on development rather than cognitive or social factors?

The linguistic approach to language acquisition highlights the innate biological mechanisms and predispositions that facilitate language development. This perspective is most prominently associated with the theory proposed by Noam Chomsky, who argued that humans are born with a pre-wired capacity for language, often referred to as the "language acquisition device." This device allows children to easily and rapidly pick up the complex rules and structures of language they are exposed to.

In contrast to cognitive or social factors, which focus on mental processes or the role of interaction with others in learning language, the linguistic approach specifically zeroes in on the inherent capabilities of the human brain. It suggests that language learning is a natural process, somewhat akin to other biological functions, supporting the view that specific genetic or neurological factors influence how children acquire language.

The other approaches listed, such as the cognitive and sociocognitive approaches, emphasize cognitive processes, learning through social interactions, and environmental influences, which do not align with the biological emphasis of the linguistic approach. The behavioral approach also tends to concentrate on observable behavior and learning through reinforcement and punishment, further distancing itself from the innate biological perspective espoused by the linguistic approach.