Learning and Development Theories

Collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key psychological theories of learning and development, including Psychodynamic, Psychosocial, Cognitive, Social, and Environmental theories.

Id

The components of the psyche focused on pleasure.

Ego

The component of the psyche associated with reality.

Superego

The component of the psyche associated with morality.

Fixations

Results from being over-indulged or parents not being strict enough during psychosexual stages (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital).

Anal Retentive

A characterization of being orderly and stingy.

Anal Expulsive

A characterization of being messy or destructive.

Defense Mechanisms

The Ego's tools to reduce anxiety, such as Repression, Regression, and Displacement.

Crisis (Instructor Definition)

A turning point, a period of increased vulnerability and heightened potential where an individual must resolve a conflict between two opposing forces.

Assimilation

The process of fitting information into schemas.

Accommodation

The process of changing schemas to fit new information.

Disequilibrium

Mental discomfort experienced when new information doesn't fit, forcing the brain to reach equilibrium.

Object Permanence

A concept associated with the Sensorimotor stage in Piaget's theory.

Egocentrism

A concept associated with the Pre-operational stage in Piaget's theory.

Conservation

A concept associated with the Concrete Operational stage in Piaget's theory.

Abstract Thinking

A concept associated with the Formal Operational stage in Piaget's theory.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The gap between what a learner can do alone versus what they can do with mediation.

Scaffolding

Temporary support provided to help a student complete a task within their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

Social Learning Theory

The theory by Bandura involving learning through observing and imitating models.

Information Processing

The environmental theory sequence defined as Input $ightarrow$ Sensory Register $ightarrow$ Attention $ightarrow$ Short-Term Memory $ightarrow$ Long-Term Memory $ightarrow$ Output.

Microsystem

The level of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological levels that has the most impact.