THEORIES

Question 1

Does Gesell’s maturation theory support nature or nurture?

Answer 1

Nature

Question 2

What was the approach Gesell develop?

Answer 2

Normative approach

Question 3

What did Gesell suggest development is?

Answer 3

Predetermined

Question 4

What did Gesell say about the environment?

Answer 4

Environment has little influence and learning difficulties are hereditary not caused by the environment

Question 5

What do critics say about Gesell’s maturation theory?

Answer 5

His theory isn’t helpful to explain individual or cultural differences in children which may be influenced by their environment

Question 6

Does Bandira’s social learning theory support nature or nurture?

Answer 6

Nurture

Question 7

What did Bandura suggest?

Answer 7

Learning occurs through observing behaviour of role models and other children

Question 8

What are the 4 stages of behavioural learning?

Answer 8

1) Child observes behaviour from role model
2) Child internalises behaviour by remembering what they observed
3) Child will reproduce behaviour when opportunity occurs
4) Child will decide whether to repeat behaviour based on positive or negative reinforcement

Question 9

Does the stress diathesis model support nature or nurture?

Answer 9

Both

Question 10

What does the “Nurture” and “Nature” refer to in the stress diathesis model and what is the result of both?

Answer 10

Nurture- stress
Nature - genetic predisposition (diathesis)
Leads to - Psychological ill health

Question 11

What does the stress diathesis model suggest?

Answer 11

Some individuals have a genetic predisposition and if stress occurs it can trigger the onset of behaviour

Question 12

What does Bowlby state?

Answer 12

• maternal deprivation = affection less psychopathy
• separation anxiety from mum
• 1 main caregiver
• critical 2.5 year period

Question 13

What theory opposes Bowlby?

Answer 13

Rutter - Environment is responsible
Privation worse than maternal deprivation

Question 14

What does schaffer and emerson state?

Answer 14

• child responds to most effective caregiver
• preattachment 0-3, indiscriminate 3-7, discriminate 7-9, multiple 9+

Question 15

What does ainsworth state?

Answer 15

• child is as a result of type of parenting
  better = better relationship, higher self esteem
  worse = demanding, clingy, withdrawn
  Secure, avoidant, resistant

Question 16

What are the stages of piagets cognitive development ?

Answer 16

• sensorimotor 0-2 - object permenance, peekaboo
• preoperational 2-7 - parallel play, egocentric
• concrete 7-11 - conserve, concrete logical thinking
• formal 11-18 - abstract thinking

Question 17

What are strengths and weaknesses of piagets theories?

Answer 17

Strength - influence early education, supports both nature and nurture
Weakness - small number of sample, Bruner states children can progress, longer than 11 years to abstract think

Question 18

What does the stress diathesis model state?

Answer 18

When those with a genetic predisposition to mental disorders experience stress, it triggers an onset of behaviour

Question 19

What does Chomsky’s language development suggest?

Answer 19

• Children are genetically preprogrammed to learn language
• there is a critical period and if not learnt, language will never be gained
• language acquisition device
• children can’t learn through imitation

Question 20

What are strengths and weaknesses of Chomsky?

Answer 20

Strength- children learning language don’t make grammatical errors, children notice incorrect gramatical language, say things that aren’t taught to them
Weakness- lack of scientific evidence, Bruner states social interaction is vital, children with delayed development not taken into consideration