Chapter 2: Theories of Development Flashcards
What is a theory?
Explanation or description that has these three things:
1) Organize + integrates existing info
2) points to new predictions
3) testable
Define Developmental Theory
Development as progress from simple to more complex understandings of the self and the world over time.
Differentiate between Grand Theories and Minitheories.
Grand = seeks to explain a lot, expansive
Mini = seeks to explain a smaller area
How does Maturation Theory propose that development occurs? What are the contributions and limitations of this theory?
States that most changes take place because of a predetermined plan in our body.
Contribution = explains development through our genetics
Limits = only looks at genetics and not the environment, which has been shown to help create change
How does Psychoanalytic Theory propose that development occurs? What are the contributions and limitations of this theory?
early experiences determine our development, unconscious forces (many sex and aggression)
Describe the stages of Freud’s theory.
Oral (birth to 1 year)
Anal (1-3 years)
Phallic (3-6 years)
Latency (7-11 years)
Genital (after puberty)
How does Erikson say development occurs?
contextual influences of society + culture, each phase has a conflict to go through
How does Social Learning Theory propose that development occurs? What are the contributions and limitations of this theory?
You can observe and learn reinforcement/ punishment behaviors from others.
Contributions = very useful to control behaviors
Limits = ignores cognition
How does Cognitive-Developmental Theory propose that development occurs? What are the contributions and limitations of this theory?
focuses on thoughts
Describe the stages of Piaget’s theory.
Sensorimotor Stage = birth to 2 years
Preoperational Stage = 2 to 7
Concrete Operational = 7 to 11
Formal Operational = 12 and up
How does Interactional and Dynamic Systems Theory propose that development occurs? What are the contributions and limitations of this theory?
consequence of an organism in its environment
Describe the nature vs. nurture debate. What’s wrong with this?
Nature = only focuses on genetics
Nurture = only environment
Describe how the following are examples of gene/environment interactions: Bodybuilding and PKU
Bodybuilding = genetics not enough, need to workout
PKU = genetic disorder
Compare and contrast genotype and phenotype
genotype = genetic code
phenotype = physical expression of the genetic code
Describe the two different types of twin studies we talked about in class. Which one is better and why?
Monozygotic twins separated at birth and the Scandinavia Twin Registry
