Maturation theory

Question 1

What does the maturation theory help to explain?

Answer 1

how biological maturation( the process of maturing) is related to overall development

Question 2

what is the theory based on?

Answer 2

development is genetically determined from birth+ children follow the same orderly sequence in their development+ the pace of development may vary depending on physical and intellectual development

Question 3

True or False? Gesell was the first to use observation of children to understand their development.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

How did he determine the ‘averages’ or ‘norms’ of behaviour ?

Answer 4

He observed behaviours of many children

Question 5

What did he say about maturation?

Answer 5

‘The child’s personality is a product of slow gradual growth. His nervous system matures by stages and natural sequences.’

Question 6

What are some negative views of the maturation theory?

Answer 6

did not consider the influence of individual or cultural differences in children + believed that the ‘norms’ of development he described were desirable

Question 7

What are some positive views of the maturation theory?

Answer 7

he determined typical norms of development that are still used today+ used advanced methodology in observation of behaviour of large numbers of children