Chapter 2 - Theoretical Foundations of Adolescent Development Flashcards
Theory
A theory is a set of testable statements derived from the axioms of a model.
Model
A model is a set of assumptions about reality in general and about human nature in particular from which theories proceed.
Laws
Laws are relationships that are derived from axioms and can be proven to be true or false.
Nature-Nurture Controversy
The nature-nurture controversy is a controversy concerning the primary source of development: nature (heredity) or nurture (environment).
Continuity-Discontinuity Issue
The continuity-discontinuity issue is disagreement as to whether the same set of laws is sufficient to explain behavior at all developmental levels and for all species (continuity assumption) or whether lawful relationships change with age and across species (discontinuity assumption).
Reductionism
Reductionism is explaining complex behaviors by reducing them to their simpler components.
Epigenesis
Epigenesis is the emergence of new complexities in development that cannot be predicted from, or reduced to, earlier forms.
Environmental Model
The environmental model is a set of assumptions in which the environment is taken to be the primary determinant of psychological development.
Organismic Model
The organismic model is a set of assumptions in which the unfolding of genetically organized processes is taken to be the primary determinant of psychological development.
Habituation
Habituation is decreased responsiveness to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it.
Stage
A stage is a level of development that is assumed to be qualitatively different from the earlier level from which it evolves. Stages are assumed to occur in a fixed sequence and to occur universally within a species.
Developmental Tasks
Developmental tasks are age-related norms that reflect social expectations for normal development.
Radical Behaviorism
Radical behaviorism is a form of behaviorism, founded by Skinner, that reduces the causes of behavior to contingencies of reinforcement.
Reinforcement
Reinforcement is any event that when contingent of a behavior increases the probability of that behavior occurring again.
Reciprocal Determinism
Reciprocal determinism refers to the two-way influence between person and environment; not only does the environment influence behavior, but the behavior changes the environment.
Assimilation
Assimilation is Piaget’s term for the process by which new events and experiences are adjusted to fit existing cognitive structures.
Accomodation
Accommodation is Piaget’s term for the process by which cognitive structures are altered to fit new events or experiences.
Equilibration
Equilibration is Piaget’s term for the balance between assimilation and accommodation that is responsible for the growth of thought.
Oedipal complex
The Oedipal complex is a Freudian concept in which the young boy is sexually attracted to his mother, and the young girl to her father.
Electra Complex
The Electra complex is a Freudian complex in which the young girl is sexually attracted to her father and regards her mother as her rival.
Castration Anxiety
Castration anxiety is, in Freudian theory, a young boy’s fear of being castrated by his father in punishment for the boy’s sexual attraction to his mother.
Superego
The superego is the aspect of personality in Freudian theory that represents the internalized standards and values of society.
Penis Envy
Penis envy is, in Freudian theory, a girl’s envy of and desire for a male sex organ.
Id
The id is the primitive aspect of the personality in Freudian theory, which seeks immediate gratification of biological impulses.
Ego
The ego is the executive aspect of the personality in Freudian theory, which seeks to satisfy impulses in socially acceptable ways.
Identity
Identity is the part of one’s personality of which one is aware and able to see as a meaningful and coherent whole.
Epigenetic Principle
The epigenetic principle is Erikson’s assumption that an internal ground plan governs the timing or period of ascendence for each new development.
Zone of Proximal Development
The zone of proximal development is Vygotsky’s term for the distance separating a novice’s performance from what that performance might optimally be; for individuals to profit from working with those who are more skilled, their performance must already approximate that of the other person.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is the process by which a child internalizes cultural concepts and skills through association with older members of a group.
Guided Participation
Guided participation is Rogoff’s term for the shared activity of a novice and one who is more skilled in which both participate to decrease the distance between their respective contributions to the activity.
Developmental Contextualism
Developmental contextualism is the position that development must be studied in real life settings, thereby facilitating the integration of research with applied policies and programs.
Risk Factors
Risk factors are conditions present in individuals, families, communities, or society that place adolescents at risk for developmental problems.
Protective Factors
Protective factors are conditions present in individuals, families, communities, or society that promote healthy development.
Temperament
Temperament is the underlying predispositions contributing to an individual’s activity level, emotionality, and sociability.
