Who among the following argued that children learn language based on behaviorist reinforcement principles by associating words with meaning?

The correct option is B. F. Skinner.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding Behaviorist Language Acquisition:
Behaviorism is a school of psychology that explains learning in terms of observable behaviors, without appealing to internal mental states. When applied to language learning, behaviorist theory suggests that children acquire language through environmental conditioning, imitation, reinforcement, and association.

2. B. F. Skinner's Theory of Verbal Behavior:
In his 1957 book Verbal Behavior, the American psychologist B. F. Skinner proposed that language is a behavior acquired through operant conditioning. He argued that children learn language because their vocalizations are reinforced by parents or caregivers. For example, if a child says "milk" and is given a glass of milk, the child's behavior is positively reinforced, making them more likely to repeat the word "milk" in similar contexts in the future to associate the word with its meaning.

3. Analyzing the Other Options:
* Noam Chomsky: Chomsky strongly opposed Skinner's behaviorist view of language. He argued that language acquisition is innate, proposing the concept of a Universal Grammar and a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) rather than simple reinforcement learning.
* Stephen Krashen: Krashen is known for his Second Language Acquisition theory (including the Input Hypothesis), which focuses on natural acquisition rather than behaviorist drilling or reinforcement.
* Peter Singer: Singer is a modern moral philosopher known for his work in bioethics and animal liberation, and did not formulate theories on childhood language acquisition.

Therefore, B. F. Skinner is the theorist who argued that language learning is based on behaviorist reinforcement principles.