Gesells Maturation Theory

Question 1

What do all individuals have?

Answer 1

An inner ‘biological clock’ that determine when/what rate physical development will progress

Question 2

1st point: what did gesell say children develop through and criticism (b)?

Answer 2

Predictable sequences, some children will have the ability to do something at a certain age and others won’t, dev is predetermined- environment has little influence
Criticism: bandura- children are influenced by the environment they live in, develop at their own pace but 1 would be taught how to write other would learn from copying others

Question 3

2nd point: what did gesell say about milestones and what’s the criticism?

Answer 3

They’re helpful indicators to measure a child’s dev and to recognise developmental delay- this is hereditary, it’s natural that every child has different abilities to reach a certain stage- deps on their cog abil
Criticism: parent can impact child’s dev- intelligence can be learnt, theory’s not helpful for explaining indv diffs for children with learning disabilities

Question 4

3rd point: when did gesell say children should be expected to complete tasks and critisism?

Answer 4

When physically/mentally ready- teaching something advance for their age could cause them harm- could affect self esteem
criticism: some children thrive at being pushed further

Question 5

Conclusion of the theory:

Answer 5

good ideas and observed a large number of children so could state that they develop at their own pace but isnt inclusive as doesnt explain individual differences for children with learning disabilities