Theories of Human Development

1. Theories of Human Development

2. Theories • What is a theory? Orderly set of ideas which describe, explain, and predict behavior. • Why are theories important? To give meaning to what we observe. As a basis for action --finding ways to improve the lives and education of children.

3. Origins of Child Development Theories • 6th -15th centuries Medieval period  Preformation's: children seen as little adults.  Childhood is not a unique phase.  Children were cared for until they could begin caring for themselves, around 7 years old.  Children treated as adults (e.g. their clothing, worked at adult jobs, could be married, were made into kings, were imprisoned or hanged as adults.) • 20th Century Theories about children's development expanded around the world.  Childhood was seen as worthy of special attention.  Laws were passed to protect children,

4. Outline of 20th Century Theories • Psychoanalytical Theories Psychosexual: Sigmund Freud Psychosocial: Erik Erikson • Behavioral & Social Learning Theories Behaviorism: Classical Conditioning -John Watson & Operant Conditioning -B.F. Skinner  Social Learning -Albert Bandera • Biological Theories Maturationism: G. Stanley Hall & Arnold Gesell Ethology: Konrad Lorenz Attachment: John Bowlby

5. Outline of 20th Century Theories • Cognitive Theories Cognitive Development: Jean Piaget Socio-cultural: Lev Vygotsky Information Processing • Systems Theories Ecological Systems: UrieBronfenbrenner

6. Psychoanalytical Theories • Beliefs focus on the formation of personality. According to this approach, children move through various stages, confronting conflicts between biological drives and social expectations.

7. Sigmund Freud • Psychosexual Theory Was based on his therapy with troubled adults. He emphasized that a child's personality is formed by the ways which his parents managed his sexual and aggressive drives.

8. Erik Erikson Psychosocial Theory Expanded on Freud's theories. Believed that development is life-long. Emphasized that at each stage, the child acquires attitudes and skills resulting from the successful negotiation of the psychological conflict.

9. Stage Theories of Development: Personality • Stage theories, three components • progress through stages in order • progress through stages related to age • major discontinuities in development • Erik Erikson (1963) • Eight stages spanning the lifespan • Psychosocial crises determining balance between opposing polarities in personality

10. Figure 11.10 Stage theories of development

11. Erikson’s 8 Stages of Development • Identified 8 stages:  Basic trust vs mistrust (birth -1 year)  Autonomy vs shame and doubt (ages 1-3)  Initiative vs guilt (ages 3-6)  Industry vs inferiority (ages 6-11)  Identity vs identity confusion (adolescence)  Intimacy vs isolation (young adulthood)  Generativity vs stagnation (middle adulthood)  Integrity vs despair (the elderly)

12. Figure 11.11 Erikson’s stage theory

13. Cognitive Theories Beliefs that describe how children learn

14. Jean Piaget Cognitive development theory Children "construct" their understanding of the world through their active involvement and interactions. Studied his 3 children to focus not on what they knew but how they knew it. Described children's understanding as their "schemas” and how they use: assimilation accommodation.

15. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Stages • Sensori-motor Ages birth -2: the infant uses his senses and motor abilities to understand the world • Preoperation Ages 2-7: the child uses metal representations of objects and is able to use symbolic thought and language • Concrete operations Ages 7-11; the child uses logical operations or principles when solving problems Formal operations Ages 12 up; the use of logical operations in a systematic fashion and with the ability to use abstractions

16. Stage Theories: Cognitive Development • Jean Piaget Assimilation/ Accommodation • 4 stages and major milestones • Sensorimotor • Object permanence • Preoperational • Centration, Egocentrism • Concrete Operational • Decentration, Reversibility, Conservation • Formal Operational • Abstraction

17. Figure 11.12 Piaget’s stage theory

18. Figure 11.13 Piaget’s conservation task

19. Figure 11.14 The gradual mastery of conservation

20. The Development of Moral Reasoning • Kohlberg (1976) • Reasoning as opposed to behavior • Moral dilemmas • Measured nature and progression of moral reasoning • 3 levels, each with 2 sublevels • Preconventional • Conventional • Postconventional

21. Figure 11.17 Kohlberg’s stage theory

22. The Human Needs Theory • Abraham Maslow 1908-1970

23. If basic needs are met, then the individual can move to higher levels of thought and self-fulfillment. • The base of the triangle represents the basic physiological needs of survival. • Once basic needs are met, a person can move toward self-actualization. • Self-actualization is the realization of one’s own talent and abilities and the achievement of satisfaction in life’s goals and desires.

24. Maslow ’ s Hierarchy of Needs - Self Actualization Needs Esteem Needs Social Needs Security Needs Physiological Needs Source: adapted from Abraham H. Maslow, “ A Theory . of Human Motivation, ” Psychology Review 50 ( 1943 ): 370 - 396 Adapted by Kelly Burke, University of Hawaii at Hilo

25. Physiological needs: air, food, water, sleep. • Safety & security needs: shelter, security, freedom from fear. • Love/ belonging needs: friends, family, romantic partners. • Self-esteem needs: competence, self-respect, independence. • Self-actualization: freedom from self or cultural restrains, being all one can be. (1% of population)