Declarative/procedural (D/P) model of L2 morphological learning¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 4 claims (4 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q2 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

Ullman's declarative/procedural model holds that two memory systems support language: declarative memory, relying on medial temporal lobe circuitry, supports memorization of facts and item-based forms, while procedural memory, relying on basal ganglia circuitry, supports rule-based learning and processing. For English past tense, the model "postulates that regular and irregular past tense forms are learned in procedural and declarative memory systems, respectively." This classroom study tested these predictions for L2 learners under three corrective feedback conditions and found results essentially in line with the model, though not in every group.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Learners must possess at least partial knowledge of the target structures for the predicted memory-structure associations to be observable, as in this study's participants.

Constraints¶

• The article notes the relationship patterns were not observed in all treatment groups, and that further studies are necessary to support the D/P model; participants had partial prior knowledge, so patterns may differ for learners with none.

Target Learners¶

• Second language learners of English (upper beginner to lower intermediate university EFL students)

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Learning of English regular and irregular past tense forms

Claims¶

• Procedural Memory Predicts Regular Past Ugjt Metalinguistic Prompts [+M]
• Declarative Memory Predicts Irregular Past Ugjt Recasts [+M]
• Declarative Memory Null Regular Past Tense [+M]
• Procedural Memory Null Irregular Past Tense [+M]

Related Theories¶

• ACT* (Adaptive Control of Thought): automatization as proceduralization of declarative knowledge through practice
• Skill acquisition theory applied to second language learning: declarative knowledge first, then proceduralization and partial automatization

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Yusuke Sato. (2023). Interactions Among Declarative and Procedural Memory Systems, Different Linguistic Structures, and the Efficacy of Different Corrective Feedback Types. Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.52598/jpll/5/1/4