Does Skinners theory back up Rachaels first words?
Rachaels first words support Skinners theory because the majority of Racheals words are words that would often be repeated in her daily routine by her parents/careers, meaning that she would be able to imitate them and learn them for rewards. Eg her parents would probably often say to her 'more?' as in if she wants more food etc. and she would repeat it learning that when she says it, she would be rewarded by getting more.
Words such as 'mummy' and 'daddy' also support Skinners theory, when she repeats the words she would be rewarded by the parents going to her etc. They are words that would most likely be the most often heard in her daily routine too.
But also; one of Rachaels first words is 'wassat' which shows she is trying to repeat words she has heard, the missing sounds are the least stressed words which shows that she is listening and trying to repeat the words by listening to the sounds made. Skinners theory said that children learn through language by repeating words and then receiving rewards (positive reinforcement), and this supports it as she is clearly trying to repeat words that she has heard before.