CH 1: Theories and Themes Flashcards
Theory
Organized set of ideas meant to explain and make predictions about development
List the 5 main perspectives of development
Biological, psychodynamic, learning, cognitive-developmental, contextual
List the 3 newer approaches to child development
Information-processing
Evolutionary
Developmental psychopathology
List the 4 main themes of development
- Early development is related to later development (but not perfectly)
- Development is always influenced by both nature and nurture
- Children help determine their development
- Development in different domains is connected
Libido
Humans natural instinct to feel pleasure
Who contributed to the biological perspective?
G. Stanley Hall, Charles Darwin, & Arnold Gesell
What did G Stanley hall do for the bio perspective?
Tried to describe the ‘normal child’ using evolutionary biology
What did Charles Darwin do for the biological perspective?
Said that organisms who can adapt the best will survive
What did arnold gesell do for the bio perspective?
Introduced maturational theory; states that development is a natural unfolding of the biological plan that happens with or without interference from adults
What is ethological theory?
Says that behaviors are adaptive for survival. Ex: a child crying is adaptive for survival bc it provokes others to care for them
Critical period
A time in development when a specific type of learning needs to occur
Psychoanalysis
Says that development is largely determined by how well people resolve unconscious conflicts
Id, ego and superego
Id: immediate gratification (devil)
Superego: knows right from wrong
Ego: logical and rational
What does psychosexual development say?
That our libido shifts to different areas of our body throughout our life
