developmental intro Flashcards
What are the four major theories of development
Learning
Cognitive development
Evolutionary
Ecological
Briefly describe the learning theory of development
The learning theory emphasizes:
rewards and punishment
The role of experience
Learning from watching others
What are the two main studies/theories in which the learning theory of development is based on
Behaviourism (Watson, Skinner) Skinners rats
Social learning theory (Bandura) Bobo doll study
Briefly describe the cognitive development theory of development
The cognitive development theory emphasizes:
The mind, thought processes, construction of knowledge
How children think and how thinking changes over time
Who is the most influential developmentalist of cognitive development
Piaget
Briefly describe what Piaget said in regards to cognitive development
Children are like scientists who want to understand the world and how it works and so revise their theories radically at a few critical points, leading to new theories
What are the four stages of cognitive development
Sensorimotor (0-2 years)
Preoperational (2-7 years)
Concrete operational (7-11 years)
Formal operation (from 11 years)
Describe the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development theory
The infant explores the world through direct sensory and motor contact
Describe the Preoperational stage of cognitive development theory
Child uses symbols to represent objects but does not reason logically. The child is egocentric
Describe the concrete operational stage of cognitive development theory
Child can think logically about concrete objects
Describe the Formal operational stage of cognitive development theory
The adolescent can reason abstractly and think in hypothetical terms
Briefly describe the evolutionary theory of development
The evolutionary theory of development applies concepts of natural selection and adaptation to human behaviour. With a focus on the function of behaviours, in terms of how a behaviour ensured the survival of the species.
What does the evolutionary theory of development propose
The evolutionary theory seeks similar patterns of behaviour across human societies and cultures. Thinks studying child development can provide insights into human nature and some even propose a “critical period”
Briefly describe the ecological theory of development
The ecological theory emphasizes:
The effects of context on development
The child’s active role in selecting and influencing the contexts
Children’s personal characteristics influence on development
