1. Theories of Development – Ch. 2 Adolescent/Adult Development Jan 21, 2009 Class #4

2. Developmental theory Developmental theory A systematic statement of principles and generalizations that provides a coherent framework for studying development A systematic statement of principles and generalizations that provides a coherent framework for studying development What Theories Do

3. What Theories Do… Form basis for hypotheses that can be tested by research studies Form basis for hypotheses that can be tested by research studies Formulating right question is more difficult that finding right answers Formulating right question is more difficult that finding right answers Generate discoveries Generate discoveries Offer insight and guidance by providing coherent view Offer insight and guidance by providing coherent view

4. Types of Theories Grand theories: comprehensive, traditional theories Grand theories: comprehensive, traditional theories Originated in psychology Originated in psychology Minitheories: theories that focus on specific area of development Minitheories: theories that focus on specific area of development originated more in sociology through study of social groups and family structures originated more in sociology through study of social groups and family structures Emergent theories: new, comprehensive groupings of minitheories Emergent theories: new, comprehensive groupings of minitheories Multidisciplinary approach includes historic events and genetic discoveries Multidisciplinary approach includes historic events and genetic discoveries

5. Grand Theories Powerful framework for interpreting and understanding change and development that applies to all individuals in all contexts, across all contents Powerful framework for interpreting and understanding change and development that applies to all individuals in all contexts, across all contents

6. Psychoanalytic theory interprets human development in terms of motives and drives Psychoanalytic theory interprets human development in terms of motives and drives Unconscious influences Unconscious influences Psychoanalytic Theory

7. Classic Freudian Setting What is the classic setting? What is the classic setting? Why this set-up? Why this set-up?

8. Iceberg Theory of the Mind Our access to what goes on in our mind is very limited Our access to what goes on in our mind is very limited The majority is in our unawareness The majority is in our unawareness Freud felt nothing was accidental – dreams, slips of tongue, slips of pen, etc. Freud felt nothing was accidental – dreams, slips of tongue, slips of pen, etc. Felt first six years in ones life were crucial to development Felt first six years in ones life were crucial to development Phallic Stage is his most controversial Phallic Stage is his most controversial

9. Behaviorism is built on laws of behavior and processes by which behavior is learned Behaviorism is built on laws of behavior and processes by which behavior is learned Focus: ways we learn specific behaviors that can be described, analyzed, and predicted with scientific accuracy Focus: ways we learn specific behaviors that can be described, analyzed, and predicted with scientific accuracy Behaviorism

10. Never trust anyone over 30… Poor “Little Albert” conditioned to lifelong phobia??? Poor “Little Albert” conditioned to lifelong phobia??? Maybe never enjoyed Christmas??? Maybe never enjoyed Christmas??? One only can wonder… One only can wonder…

11. Give me a dozen healthy infants… Watson felt we were controlled by our environment Watson felt we were controlled by our environment

12. Reminds me of 1980’s movie… Early scene in “Trading Places” shows Murphy trying to pull off scam as blind guy who can’t walk, etc. Early scene in “Trading Places” shows Murphy trying to pull off scam as blind guy who can’t walk, etc. But things change when he and Ackroyd’s environments are switched But things change when he and Ackroyd’s environments are switched

13. Classical conditioning Classical conditioning Ivan Pavlov Ivan Pavlov Process by which a neutral stimulus become associated with a meaningful stimulus Process by which a neutral stimulus become associated with a meaningful stimulus Laws of Behavior

14. Operant Conditioning B. F. Skinner B. F. Skinner Process by which a response is gradually learned via reinforcement or punishment Process by which a response is gradually learned via reinforcement or punishment also called instrumental conditioning also called instrumental conditioning

15. Social Learning Extension of learning theory that includes modeling which involves people observing behavior and patterning their own after it Extension of learning theory that includes modeling which involves people observing behavior and patterning their own after it Modeling Modeling process in which people observe, then copy behavior process in which people observe, then copy behavior Alfred Bandura—most likely to occur if model is admired or observer is inexperienced Alfred Bandura—most likely to occur if model is admired or observer is inexperienced self-efficacy motivates people to change themselves and their contexts self-efficacy motivates people to change themselves and their contexts

16. Focuses on the structure and development of thought processes, which shape perceptions, attitudes, and actions Focuses on the structure and development of thought processes, which shape perceptions, attitudes, and actions Cognitive Theory

17. Emergent theories arise from several accumulated minitheories and may be the new systematic and comprehensive theories of the future Emergent theories arise from several accumulated minitheories and may be the new systematic and comprehensive theories of the future Emergent Theories

18. Sociocultural Theory Seeks to explain growth of individual knowledge, development, and competencies in terms of guidance, support, and structure supplied by the society Seeks to explain growth of individual knowledge, development, and competencies in terms of guidance, support, and structure supplied by the society Human development is the result of dynamic interaction of the developing persons and their surrounding culture Human development is the result of dynamic interaction of the developing persons and their surrounding culture

19. Guided participation—tutor engages learner in joint activities, providing instruction and direct involvement in learning Guided participation—tutor engages learner in joint activities, providing instruction and direct involvement in learning Apprenticeship in thinking—mentor provides instruction and support needed by novice Apprenticeship in thinking—mentor provides instruction and support needed by novice Sociocultural Theory

20. Zone of proximal development—range of skills learner can perform with assistance but not independently Zone of proximal development—range of skills learner can perform with assistance but not independently learner is drawn into learning by teacher learner is drawn into learning by teacher Cultural variations: Basic principles are universal, but skills, challenges, and opportunities vary from culture to culture, depending on the values and structures of the culture’s society Cultural variations: Basic principles are universal, but skills, challenges, and opportunities vary from culture to culture, depending on the values and structures of the culture’s society Sociocultural Theory

21. Epigenetic Theory Emphasizes the interaction between genes and the environment—the newest developmental theory Emphasizes the interaction between genes and the environment—the newest developmental theory stresses that we have powerful instincts and abilities that arise from our biological heritage. Timing and pace of certain developmental changes are genetically guided stresses that we have powerful instincts and abilities that arise from our biological heritage. Timing and pace of certain developmental changes are genetically guided performism—everything is set in advance by genes and then is gradually manifested in the course of maturation performism—everything is set in advance by genes and then is gradually manifested in the course of maturation

22. What Theories Can Contribute Psychoanalytic theory has made us aware of importance of early childhood experiences Psychoanalytic theory has made us aware of importance of early childhood experiences Behaviorism has shown effect of immediate environment on learning Behaviorism has shown effect of immediate environment on learning Cognitive theory helps us understand how intellectual process and thinking affect actions Cognitive theory helps us understand how intellectual process and thinking affect actions Sociocultural theory has reminded us that development is embedded in a rich and multifaceted context Sociocultural theory has reminded us that development is embedded in a rich and multifaceted context Epigenetic theory emphasizes interactions between inherited forces and immediate contexts Epigenetic theory emphasizes interactions between inherited forces and immediate contexts

23. Eclectic Perspective This is the approach taken by most developmentalists in which they apply aspects of each of the various theories rather than staying with just one This is the approach taken by most developmentalists in which they apply aspects of each of the various theories rather than staying with just one

24. The Nature-Nurture Controversy Is it heredity or environment that shapes us? Is it heredity or environment that shapes us?