Historical Theories on Development Flashcards
(Predominant early theory) Belief that a tiny human is implanted in the sperm or egg and grown into a bigger size until birth.
Children were believed to possess all sensory capabilities, emotions, and mental aptitudes, at birth and will simply unfold as time passes.
Environment has no role in determining development
Preformationist View
From the British philosopher that proposed that children are born as blank slates and are largely shaped by their social environments, specially their education.
(Whatever the child thinks of came from the environment)
Tabula Rasa (Blank Slate) - John Locke
Agreed that children are not little adults, but disagreed that they were blank slates.
Children develop to a natural plan which had different stages.
Children must not be taught how to think but allowed to think for themselves according to their own ways and biological timetable.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Theory
A child’s development is activated by genes.
Development happensin fixed sequences.
He opposed the idea that children must be taught to think ahead of the schedule as he thought this is only possible when their nervous system has matured.
Maturational Theory (Arnold Gessel)
Personality is formed during the first few years of life.
How our parents/caregivers interacted with us had long-lasting impacts on the child’s emotional states.
Psychosexual Development (Sigmund Freud)
