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scientific theory of development
a set of logically related concepts or statements that seek to describe and explain development and predict the behavior that might occur under certain conditions.
Hypotheses
possible explanations for phenomena and are used to predict the outcome of research.
What are the relationships among theories, hypotheses, and research?
Theories are broad explanations that connect various concepts and phenomena. Hypotheses are specific predictions derived from theories. Research is the systematic investigation conducted to test hypotheses and gather evidence to support or refute theories.
two issues regarding human development
is dev. active or reactive?
is it continuous (occurring in small incremental stages) or discontinuous ?
what is reactive development?
A child is a blank slate; society and external factors influence development; dev. depends on experiences. (nurture)
what is active development?
If a child is not corrupted by society, they have their own natural tendency that guides them. (Nature)
What are the key differences between the mechanistic and organismic models?
The mechanistic model views organisms as machines, emphasizing external factors and cause-and-effect relationships. The organismic model sees development as more intentional - people set their own development in motion and do not simply react to events but initiate them. While environmental influences do not cause development, they can speed or slow it.
John Locke’s '“A Young Child is a tabula rasa—a “blank slate”—upon which society writes” is associated with?
mechanistic model
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that children are born “noble savages” who develop according to their own positive natural tendencies if not corrupted by society. This is associated with?
Organismic model
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative change?
Quantitative change refers to a change in quantity or amount, such as an increase or decrease in numbers. Qualitative change, on the other hand, refers to a change in quality or nature, involving a shift in characteristics or attributes. While quantitative change focuses on measurable aspects, qualitative change emphasizes the inherent properties or features of something.
What is continuous development?
gradual and incremental steady steps. shows quantitative change - weight, height
what is discontinuous development?
what are the five major perspectives?
psychoanalytic, learning, cognitive, contextual, evolutionary/sociobiological
psychoanalytic perspective
View of human development as shaped by unconscious forces that motivate human behavior.
Identify the chief focus of the psychoanalytic perspective
people were motivated to satisfy their urges, and much of development involved learning how to do so in socially acceptable ways
Discuss the three hypothetical parts of personality
the three parts are id, ego and superego. Id operates under the principle pleasure - the drive to seek immediate satisfaction of their needs and desires. Ego operates under the reality principle - finds realistic ways to satisfy the id’s wants that are acceptable to the superego. the superego represents the conscience and societal norms
Which part is the mediator?
The ego mediates between the impulses of the id and the demands of the superego.
According to Freud, how is personality formed?
through unconscious childhood conflicts between the inborn urges of the id and the requirements of civilized life
what is psychosexual development?
an unvarying sequence of stages of childhood personality development in which gratification shifts from the mouth to the anus and then to the genitals.
Name Freud’s five stages of development
Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital
Describe each stage
The oral stage occurs from birth to 12-18 months
What is fixation according to Freud, and when does it occur?
Fixation is an arrest in development that can occur if children receive too little or too much gratification during the first three stages of development, leading to issues in adult personality.
What are the oedipus and electra complexes?
he Oedipus complex occurs when boys develop sexual attachment to their mothers and have aggressive urges toward their fathers, while the Electra complex is the same phenomenon in girls.
What might happen if a child's needs are not met during the oral stage, according to Freud?
Babies whose needs are not met during the oral stage may develop habits like nail-biting or smoking in adulthood.
How does Freud describe fixation at the anal stage?
Fixation at the anal stage, according to Freud, may result in behaviors such as obsessively clean habits, rigid adherence to schedules, or defiant messiness.
What characterizes the latency stage in psychosexual development?
The latency stage is a period of relative emotional calm and intellectual and social exploration in middle childhood, where children redirect their sexual energies into other pursuits.
What is the final stage of psychosexual development according to Freud?
The final stage is the genital stage, which lasts throughout adulthood and involves the reemergence of sexual urges in socially approved channels.
What are some criticisms of Freud's psychoanalytic theory?
Many of Freud's ideas are considered culturally biased, obsolete, or scientifically untestable. Some criticize his narrow focus on sexual and aggressive drives.
What are some enduring contributions of Freud's theory to psychology?
Freud's contributions include emphasizing the importance of unconscious thoughts, childhood experiences in forming personality, ambivalence in emotional responses, and the path of normal development from immaturity to maturity.
Tell two ways that Erikson’s theory differs from Freud’s? flashcard format
Erikson's theory recognizes that development is a lifelong process, whereas Freud's theory implied that development largely stopped at adolescence. Erikson's theory emphasizes the influence of society and culture on developing personality, while Freud's theory primarily focuses on individual and intrapsychic factors
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