Theories of Development

Question 1

Piaget’s Theory (Cognitive Development) emphasizes?

Answer 1

concepts of **assimilation and accomodation

• **assimilation: part of learning process where new ideas are integrated into what someone already knows
• accomodation: a person will modify what they already know to add a new idea
• *Stages of Cognitive Development
• Sensorimotor/Preoperational/Concrete/Formal
• **Sensorimotor (0-18mos): learn through action and senses
• Preoperational (18mo -6/7years): internal thoughts using symbols to solve problems
• Concrete (8yrs-12yrs): more abstract in thinking yet still need concrete objects
• Formal Operations (12yrs - adult): thinking is abstract and hypothetical

Question 2

What does Erikson’s Theory (Psychoanalytic Theory) emphasize?

Answer 2

8 stages

• each one has two forces (positive and negative: virtues)
  1) Trust v Mistrust (birth to 18mo)
  2) Autonomy v Shame/Doubt (18mo - 3.5yrs) - sense of independence
  3) Initiative v Guilt (3.5yrs - 6yrs): sense of initiation
  4) Industry v Inferiority (6-12 yrs): children have a sense of competence in relation to others
  5) Identity v Role Confusion (adolescence)

Question 3

What does Vygotsky’s Theory (Socio-cultural) emphasize?

Answer 3

infants engage in nonverbal thought and nonceptual speech
-thinking and language are integrated to form more complex thoughts
*ZPD- Zone of Proximal Development