Theories Of Human Development Flashcards
Medieval times
Little importance on childhood.
Preformationism (children are ‘little adults’)
Pre 15th century age was unimportant
No theories
The Reformation
Revised image of children via Puritans
Children has to be civilised
Punitive child rearing methods
Developed reading materials - for religious and moral ideals
John Locke - The Enlightenment
Children are a ‘blank slate’ and passive in development
Experiences shape character
Parents = rational tutors
Praise and approval, kindness and compassion
Development is continuous
Nurture over nature - many courses of development
Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Romantic Period
Children are ‘noble savages’
Adult intervention will harm children’s unique ways of thinking and feeling
Child-centred
Four stages- infancy, childhood, late childhood and adolescence
Maturation – genetically determined, natural course of growth
Nature over nurture- single course of development
Hall & Gesell
Age related averages and typical development: motor, social & personality
Binet
IQ studies & the complexity of children’s thinking. Cognitive development
Baldwin
Child and social surroundings influence development
Nature vs Nurture
Developmental Domains
Cognitive, social/emotional, physical
One course of development
Stage theorists
People everywhere follow the same developmental sequence
Many courses of development
Genetic and environmental influences plus context can result in different paths of change
Stability
Being high or low in an ability will not change at later ages. Heredity and early experiences are important- provide a life long pattern of behaviour
Plasticity
Change is possible based on new, influential experiences
