Theories of Human Development
Match five types of theories (Psychoanalytic, Behaviorist - Operant Conditioning, Bandura’s Social
Learning Theory, Cognitive, Systems) with their descriptions
Theoretical Perspectives on Human Development
- Theory: Way of organizing set of observations or facts into a comprehensive explanation of how
something works
- Hypotheses: Proposed explanations for a given phenomenon
- Five major categories of theoretical perspectives on lifespan human development
1. Psychoanalytic Theories
- Development and behavior are the result of interplay of inner drives, memories, and conflicts
we are unaware of and cannot control. subconscious
o Freud’s Psychosexual Theory - Behavior is driven by unconscious impulses outside our
awareness.
Stages based on the age
o Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory – Included the role of the social world in shaping our
sense of self
,2. Behaviorist and Social Learning Theories
- Development and behavior are influenced by the physical and social environment.
- Two major Behaviorist and Social Learning theories/theorists:
o Behaviorism: Examines only observable behavior (Specific experience)
o Social Learning Theory: People actively process observable information, and their
thoughts and feelings then influence their future behavior (watching others behavior)
Behaviorist Learning Theories (John Watson)
- Pavlov’s Classical conditioning - Person or animal comes to associate environmental stimuli with
physiological responses War PTSD (hearing fireworks and relate it to the war setting)
- Skinner’s Operant conditioning - Behavior becomes more or less probable depending on its
consequences Thinking of the consequences positive or negative e.g. Training dog,
parenting kids
Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- Observational learning: People learn through observing and imitating models the outcome
- Reciprocal determinism: Individuals and environment interact and influence each other
3. Cognitive Theory
- Development and behavior are the result of thought or Cognition.
- Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory - Children and adults use their ability to think to better
understand their environment (understanding the environment help to survive, function it, stay
away from the risks)
Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory
- Organization of learning results in Cognitive schemas or concepts, ideas, and ways of interacting
with the world Schemas are used to organize current knowledge and provide a framework
for future understanding
- Piaget’s stages of cognitive development
, 4. Systems Theory
- Emphasizes the role of social context in development
- People are inseparable from the familial, neighborhood, and societal contexts in which they live
Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory: Addresses both the role of the individual and that
individual’s social interactions (nature and nurture, biological related motivators that can drive
behavior)
- Development is the result of interactions among biological, cognitive, and psychological changes
within a person and their changing context.
- Individuals are embedded in, or surrounded by, series of sociocultural contexts.
Interactions
5. Evolutionary Developmental Theory
- Applies principles of evolution and scientific knowledge about interactive influence of genetic
and environmental mechanisms to understand development.
- Genetic programs and biological predispositions interact with physical and social environment to
influence development.
Match five types of theories (Psychoanalytic, Behaviorist - Operant Conditioning, Bandura’s Social
Learning Theory, Cognitive, Systems) with their descriptions
Theoretical Perspectives on Human Development
- Theory: Way of organizing set of observations or facts into a comprehensive explanation of how
something works
- Hypotheses: Proposed explanations for a given phenomenon
- Five major categories of theoretical perspectives on lifespan human development
1. Psychoanalytic Theories
- Development and behavior are the result of interplay of inner drives, memories, and conflicts
we are unaware of and cannot control. subconscious
o Freud’s Psychosexual Theory - Behavior is driven by unconscious impulses outside our
awareness.
Stages based on the age
o Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory – Included the role of the social world in shaping our
sense of self
,2. Behaviorist and Social Learning Theories
- Development and behavior are influenced by the physical and social environment.
- Two major Behaviorist and Social Learning theories/theorists:
o Behaviorism: Examines only observable behavior (Specific experience)
o Social Learning Theory: People actively process observable information, and their
thoughts and feelings then influence their future behavior (watching others behavior)
Behaviorist Learning Theories (John Watson)
- Pavlov’s Classical conditioning - Person or animal comes to associate environmental stimuli with
physiological responses War PTSD (hearing fireworks and relate it to the war setting)
- Skinner’s Operant conditioning - Behavior becomes more or less probable depending on its
consequences Thinking of the consequences positive or negative e.g. Training dog,
parenting kids
Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- Observational learning: People learn through observing and imitating models the outcome
- Reciprocal determinism: Individuals and environment interact and influence each other
3. Cognitive Theory
- Development and behavior are the result of thought or Cognition.
- Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory - Children and adults use their ability to think to better
understand their environment (understanding the environment help to survive, function it, stay
away from the risks)
Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory
- Organization of learning results in Cognitive schemas or concepts, ideas, and ways of interacting
with the world Schemas are used to organize current knowledge and provide a framework
for future understanding
- Piaget’s stages of cognitive development
, 4. Systems Theory
- Emphasizes the role of social context in development
- People are inseparable from the familial, neighborhood, and societal contexts in which they live
Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory: Addresses both the role of the individual and that
individual’s social interactions (nature and nurture, biological related motivators that can drive
behavior)
- Development is the result of interactions among biological, cognitive, and psychological changes
within a person and their changing context.
- Individuals are embedded in, or surrounded by, series of sociocultural contexts.
Interactions
5. Evolutionary Developmental Theory
- Applies principles of evolution and scientific knowledge about interactive influence of genetic
and environmental mechanisms to understand development.
- Genetic programs and biological predispositions interact with physical and social environment to
influence development.
