Theories (Summarised)

Question 1

What is John Bowlby Attachment theory?

Answer 1

Attachment theory: promoted the idea that early attachments were important for emotional
development and building later relationships
The idea that the mother/child bonding was significant and babies need one central caregiver
(so, introduction of Key workers)
Children separated from their families (e.g. in hospitals) went through stages of loss and grief
(so, change in treatment of families / babies in hospitals)

Question 2

What is Noam Chomsky LAD?

Answer 2

LAD: (language acquisition device) means that children are born with an innate capacity for
language development
Humans possess a predisposition to listen, talk and so learn

Question 3

What is Gesell Maturation theory?

Answer 3

NATURE
We are genetically programmed for a sequence of change.
We move through a pattern of development at our own pace.
Development is predetermined.

Question 4

What is Piaget theory of Cognitive development?

Answer 4

Stages of cognitive development – Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal
Operations.
Equilibrium and Disequilibrium
Schemas and accommodation

Question 5

What is Albert Bandura Social Learning theory?

Answer 5

How children learn from Role models & how this might influence their behaviour
Carried out “Bobo doll” experiments

Question 6

What is Holmes-Rahe Social
readjustment rating scale?

Answer 6

Developed a questionnaire called the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS).
Identified 43 life events that bring on stress of varying levels. The higher the results the more
likely that person will have physical illness

Question 7

What is Cumming and Henry Disengagement theory?

Answer 7

Argued that older people experience reduced social contact and become increasingly
‘individual’ and less concerned with others experience

Question 8

What is Havighurst Activity theory?

Answer 8

People adjust to the ageing process.
Socially and psychologically older people have the same needs.
People need to remain active within society

Question 9

What is Stress Diathesis Model?

Answer 9

Stress leads to onset of hereditary predisposition of mental health disorder
behaviour Is both a result of Biological/Genetic factors (“nature”), and life experiences (“nurture”).
People are genetically and biologically pre-disposed to mental health conditions/psychological illnesses. Suggests that if a person goes through stress which may be caused by school, family, friendships then the onset of predisposition will occur
If there is less stress for the person, likelihood of onset of mental health condition will decrease.