Ethological Theory

1. Ethological Theory Attachment Theory Environmental Systems Socio-Cultural

2. Theories of Development Ethological Theory • Behavior is: • Strongly influenced by biology • Tied to evolution • Characterized by critical or sensitive periods • Emphasized in environmental contexts • Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

3. Theories of Development Evaluating Ethological Theory • Contributions include: • Emphasis on biology and evolution, sensitive periods of development, and careful observations • Criticisms include: • Emphasis on biological foundations, inadequate attention to cognition, emphasis on animal behavior

4. Theories of Development Ecological Theory • Bronfenbrenner’s view that development influenced by five environmental systems: • Microsystem • Mesosystem • Exosystem • Macrosystem • Chronosystem

5. Theories of Development Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory

6. Theories of Development Sociocultural Contexts • Key dimensions include: • Cross-cultural studies — comparisons of one culture with one or more other cultures • Ethnicity— range of characteristics rooted in cultural heritage • Gender— psychological and sociocultural dimension of being female or male

7. Theories of Development Family Contexts • Children in non-poor environments were more likely than those in poor homes to: • Get responses to their speech • Have toys or interesting activities • Have more books of their own • See their father daily

8. Theories of Development Family Contexts • Children in non-poor environments were more likely than those in poor homes to: • Get responses to their speech • Have toys or interesting activities • Have more books of their own • See their father daily

9. Theories of Development Evaluating Ecological Theory • Contributions include: • Emphasis on macro and micro dimensions and socio-historical influences • Criticisms include: • Lacks emphasis on biological foundations and inadequate attention to cognitive processes