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Theme 1: Theories of development. - Coggle Diagram
Theme 1: Theories of development.
Introduction.
Function of Theories: Help us understand and interpret observations about Child Development (CD).
Key theoretical perspectives.
Biological.
Psychodynamic.
Behaviouristic.
Cognitive.
Theories of development: Frameworks used to explain how kids grow and change over time.
Biological perspective.
Mechanisms: Include the central nervous system, hormones, neurotransmitters, and sensory/motor neurons.
Neuropsychology: An expanding field, using advanced tools to study the connections between the brain and development.
Foundation: Bodies provide the physical context for development.
Psychodynamic perspective.
Early experiences matter: Emphasises that childhood experiences deeply impact our personalities, even if we aren't consciously aware of them.
Unconscious vs. Conscious: Much of our mental life is below the surface of awareness, driving our behaviours in ways we might not fully understand.
Focus areas.
Psychosexual stages of development and potential fixations on these stages.
Defense mechanisms to manage internal conflicts.
Unconscious drives and conflicts.
Beyond Freud: While Freud's theory is controversial, concepts like the influence of the unconscious and the importance of early experiences retain relevance.
Founder: Sigmund Freud, though it has been expanded upon since his time.
Central idea: Our unconscious mind, shaped by early childhood experiences, powerfully influences our behaviour and personality development.
Behaviouristic perspective.
Focus: Observable behaviours, rather than internal thoughts or feelings.
Founders: Includes Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B. F. Skinner.
Central idea: Development is shaped by our environment and how we learn through interactions with it.
Main types of learning.
Classical conditioning: Pairing neutral stimuli with stimuli that naturally trigger responses.
Operant conditioning: Learning based on consequences - reinforcements and punishments.
Cognitive perspective.
Stage-based theory: Piaget proposed stages of cognitive development.
Kids as active learners: Kids are viewed as scientists, experimenting and trying to make sense of their surroundings.
Founder: Jean Piaget is the most prominent, but Lev Vygotsky also made contributions.
Mental schemas: As we develop, we create schemas to organise information, which becomes more complex over time.
Focus: How kids actively construct their understanding of the world, rather than passively absorbing information.
Focus on change: Cognitive theorists are interested in the qualitative shifts in how kids thank at different stages, not just gradual increases in ability.
Central idea: Development is centred on changes in how we think, reason, and problem-solve. Our internal mental processes drive development.
Social perspective.
We are social beings: Development isn't just individual changes, it's about being a participant in our social world.
Reciprocal influences: Kids influence and are influenced by their environment. Interactions with others is key.
Key theorists.
Vygotsky: Sociocultural theory emphasises learning as a collaborative process within a cultural context.
Social Learning Theory (Bandura): Kids learn heavily through observation and imitation of others.
Culture matters: Values, beliefs, and practices held within a culture shape a kid's experiences and shape development.
Focus: How interactions with others, social roles, and cultural values shape a kid's understanding of themselves and the world.
Central idea: Development is inseparable from the social relationships and cultural context where a kid grows up.