Historical Perspective, Scientific Theories & Themes Flashcards
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
- Origin of species
* Baby Biographies
Arnold Gesell (1880-1961)
- U.S Born
- Psychologist & physician
- Nativist; Maturation (born with knowledge)
- Mapped out observing children, developed the growth chart
- believed children should be studied biologically
Konrad Lorenz (1930’s)
- Zoologist/ethologist
- Looked into IMPRINTING
- Whoever is seen first is considered to be the caregiver to the infant
- Found that there are sensitive periods in language in bonding; child should see the caregiver to create a strong bond
- Critical period has not been found
John Bowly (1960’s-1980’s)
- Ethology & Psychoanalystical
- Bowlby’s attachment theory
- Emotional bond btwn. caregiver that develops during sensitive period.
- Children’s emotional issues is a result of lack of attachment to a primary caregiver during infancy
- Infants are born WITH characteristics meant to keep the mother close & nurturing (i.e: smell, soft skin)
What are the developmental stages?
- Conception to birth
- Infancy & toddlerhood
- Early childhood, preschool
- Middle childhood, school age
- Adolescence
- Emerging adulthood
What is the age range of conception to birth?
~9 months
What is the age range of infancy & toddlerhood?
Birth to 3
What is the age range of early childhood, preschool?
3 to 5
What is the age range of Middle childhood, school age?
6 to 12
What is the age range of adolescence?
13 to 18
What is the age range of emerging adulthood?
18 to ~25
What are other terms representing the Nature vs. Nurture theme?
- Developmental vs. Learned behavior
- Emergent skills vs. Acquired skills
- Maturation vs. learning
What is maturation?
Biological development according to a plan contained in the genes
What is learning?
A process through which our experiences produce relatively permanent changes in our feelings, thoughts & behaviors.
What are other developmental themes?
- Continuity vs. Discontinuity
- Normative vs. Idiographic
- Universal vs. Cultural
- Active vs. passive
What is continuity?
- Gradual changes
- Build on skills
- Learning
What is discontinuity?
- Abrupt changes
- Qualitatively different
- Biological changes
What is normative?
Development of the “average” child
What is idiographic?
Variations seen in individual child
What is universals of development?
- Physical changes associated w/ biology
- Babbling in native language
- Happens regardless of culture, race
What are cultural differences?
- Depends on expectations of culture
* Goals of parenting practices (socialization)
In the renaissance period (1600’s, 1700’s) what were the believes of how children were born?
- St. Nicholas
- Children should not be mistreated, should be treated with warmth & affection
- Stubborn Child Act of Massachusetts, put to child to death for misbehaving? Said that no child was put to death under this law.
Medieval Perspective on children?
- Largely a christian view
- Children are born into sin & evil
- More responsibility, miniature adults
- Harsh disciplines to get the child to act how the parent desires
Historical context on child development
- Eurocentric History
- Male perspective, almost no mention of girls
- Philosophies regarding good & evil
- Environment or predetermined?