2012-a Theories of Development: Psychoanalytic to Ecological

Psychoanalytic Theories

Focus on unconscious processes, emotions, and early experiences.

Freud

Key theorist known for psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) and the idea that personality is shaped by early conflicts.

Erikson

Key theorist known for psychosocial stages (trust vs. mistrust to integrity vs. despair) emphasizing social motivation and lifelong development.

Cognitive Theories

Focus on conscious thought, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Piaget

Key theorist known for 4 stages of cognitive development (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational) where children actively construct knowledge.

Vygotsky

Key theorist known for sociocultural theory, emphasizing learning via social interaction and cultural tools (e.g., language).

Information-Processing

Theory that views the mind as a computer, focusing on memory, strategies, and microgenetic change.

Behavioral Theories

Focus on learned behavior and environmental influences.

Skinner

Key theorist known for operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by rewards and punishments.

Bandura

Key theorist known for social cognitive theory, which posits that learning occurs via observation (modeling) and the interplay of behavior, environment, and cognition.

Ethological Theory

Focus on the biological/evolutionary basis of behavior and critical/sensitive periods.

Lorenz

Key theorist known for imprinting in geese, a form of rapid innate learning.

Bowlby

Key theorist known for attachment theory in humans, stating that early bonds affect lifelong relationships.

Ecological Theory

Focus on environmental systems shaping development.

Microsystem

Immediate settings in which an individual is directly involved.

Mesosystem

Connections between different settings affecting an individual.

Exosystem

Indirect influences on an individual from other environments.

Macrosystem

Cultural context in which an individual lives.

Chronosystem

Timing and historical context affecting development.

Eclectic Theoretical Orientation

Approach that combines insights from multiple theories to explain development.

Freud's Psychosexual Stages

Stages of development proposed by Freud that include oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages.

Oral Stage

Focus: Mouth (sucking, biting); Conflict: Weaning; Fixation: Overdependence, sarcasm.

Anal Stage

Focus: Bowel/bladder control; Conflict: Toilet training; Fixation: Orderliness (overly strict) OR messiness (overly lenient).

Phallic Stage

Focus: Genitals; Oedipus/Electra complex; Conflict: Identifying with same-sex parent; Fixation: Vanity, recklessness.

Latency Stage

Focus: Dormant sexual feelings; Key: Social/intellectual skills develop.

Genital Stage

Focus: Mature sexual relationships; Goal: Balance love and work.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Key: Caregiver reliability → hope; Risk: Fear, insecurity.

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Key: Independence (e.g., toilet training) → willpower; Risk: Low self-esteem.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Key: Planning activities → purpose; Risk: Overly restrained.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Key: School/social competence → confidence; Risk: Feelings of inadequacy.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Key: Exploring roles → fidelity; Risk: Unclear identity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Key: Forming relationships → love; Risk: Loneliness.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Key: Contributing to society → care; Risk: Self-absorption.

Integrity vs. Despair

Key: Reflecting on life → wisdom; Risk: Regret.

Sensorimotor Stage

Key: Object permanence; Limitation: No mental representation.

Preoperational Stage

Key: Symbolic thought, language; Limitation: Egocentrism, no conservation.

Concrete Operational Stage

Key: Logical thinking (hands-on); Limitation: Abstract reasoning.

Formal Operational Stage

Key: Hypothetical reasoning, idealism.

Imprinting

Rapid attachment to first moving object (critical period).

Attachment

Secure bonds in infancy → lifelong relationships (sensitive period).

Skinner's Behavioral Theory

Behavior shaped by reinforcement/punishment (no stages).

Bandura's Observational Learning

Observational learning (attention → retention → reproduction → motivation).