2. Theories Flashcards
What are 2 aims of developmental psychology?
To describe developmental change
To explain developmental change
What do developmental theories do?
organise and integrate existing information into coherent accounts of development
Generate testable hypotheses about children’s behavior
In what situations can theories be long lasting? (2)
1) Broad scope
2) Novelty
What is broad scope of theories?
When a theory has advanced til it has a sufficiently broad scope which attempts to account for more than 1 developmental phenomenon. (eg. Piaget’s constructionist argument)
What is novelty of explanation?
Offer new way of describing or explaining developmental change, not been considered before.
An important alternative; continue to be referred to as influential theories
Eg. connectionist and dynamic systems models of development
What did John Locke argue about ‘empiricism’?
Argued that infants are born into the world Tabula Rasa (‘blank slate’). Understand nothing of the world since they have not learned anything yet
What did Descartes argue about ‘nativism’ (maturational theory)?
Argued that the mind imposes some kind of order on the environment to comprehend it
What was the gist of maturationists’ argument?
Development is shaped more by a genetic blueprint, rather than the environment
Draw on Charles Darwin’s ideas about human evolution and natural selection
“Newborns infants perceive only a blooming buzzing confusion”. Who said this? What theory is this?
William James. Empricism.
What is the focus of behaviourism?
Focused on role of learning of behaviours
Changes in behaviour are driven by experience, and these changes happen gradually and continuously (rather than in stages, such as sudden insight)
What are the 2 types of conditioning for behaviourism?
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning? (Ivan Pavlov)
Learning an association between two stimuli and behave accordingly
What is operant conditioning?
a type of learning in which new behaviors are learned in response to a specific stimulus. Controlled by a manipulation of the consequences of behavior.
What is the impact of reward and punishment on behaviour?
Rewards will increase likelihood of recurring behavior
Punishment will decrease likelihood of recurring behavior
Who advocated the role of operant conditioning in development? What was his favourite “punishment” strategy?
Patterson - punishment of children’s aggressive behaviour by ‘time out’ (brief isolation) can diminish aggressive behaviour. Incorporated into many applied programmes to help change children’s behaviour, including hyperactivity and aggression.
What is maturational theory?
Argued that children’s abilities are more determined by genetic inheritance than experience. Development of certain skills unfold in particular chronological orders
‘Biological timetables’ of development set out in advance by the genes of our species
What is one evidence for maturational theory?
Development of certain motor skills develops in specific trajectories.
Twin studies: one twin given more practice but skill acquisition still around similar time
What does Freud’s theory of psychodynamics argue? (3 points)
Describe internal motivations and personalities of individuals
Argued that adults’ motivations and personalities largely formed through experiences of infancy & childhood
Development occurs in discrete stages and determined largely by biologically-based drives shaped by encounters with the environment.
What are the 3 components of personality?
Id - Instinctual drives
Ego - Rational and reality-bound aspect
Superego - Emerges when child internalizes societal morals, values and roles, and develops a conscience
What are the 5 stages of Freudian development?
Oral - eating and taking things into the mouth
Anal - learns to postpone gratification; discipline (ie. the pleasure of expelling faeces)
Phallic - Increases in sexual urges alerts children to gender differences; critical to gender identity formation
Latency - Sexual urges repressed
Genital - Altruistic love joins selfish love; need for reproduction underlies adoption of adult responsibilities
What are the stages of Eriksonian development? (8)
Infancy Early Childhood Play age School age Adolescence Young adulthood Adulthood Mature age
What is the task and risk of infancy stage?
Task - to develop basic trust in oneself and others
Risk - mistrust of others and lack of self-confidence
What is the task and risk of early childhood stage?
Task - to learn self-control and establish autonomy
Risk - shame and doubt about one’s capabilities
What is the task and risk of play age?
Task - to develop initiative in mastering environment
Risk - feelings of guilt over aggressiveness
