theories pt 1

What is a theory?

A well-developed set of ideas that explains behavior and events and helps predict future observations.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction derived logically from a theory, often written as an if-then statement.

What are the three major disagreements among developmental theorists?

Passive vs active development, continuity vs discontinuity, and nature vs nurture.

What does passive development mean?

Early experiences strongly shape later development.

What does active development mean?

Current behavior reflects present experiences and active interaction with the environment.

What is continuity in development?

The idea that development is gradual and cumulative.

What is discontinuity in development?

The idea that development occurs in distinct stages.

What is the nature vs nurture debate?

The debate over whether heredity or environment has the greater influence on development.

Who proposed the idea of tabula rasa?

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What is tabula rasa?

The idea that the newborn mind is a blank slate shaped by experience and learning.

Who believed development progresses through innate stages?

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What stages did Rousseau propose?

Infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

Who is known for the theory of evolution?

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Who established scientific journals for child development research?

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Who founded behaviorism?

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Who created the psychosexual theory of development?

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Who studied maturation and patterns of development in children?

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Who developed the stage theory of cognitive development?

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What is Freud’s psychodynamic perspective?

A theory emphasizing unconscious motives, childhood experiences, and internal conflicts in shaping personality.

According to Freud, when does personality largely form?

During the first few years of life.

What did Freud believe drives human actions?

Unconscious motives, desires, fears, and anxieties.

What are the three parts of personality in Freud’s theory?

Id, ego, and superego.

What is the id?

The instinctual part of personality seeking immediate gratification according to the pleasure principle.

What is the pleasure principle?

The idea that things are judged as good if they feel pleasurable and bad if they feel unpleasant.

What is the ego?

The rational part of personality that develops to balance the id using the reality principle.

What is the reality principle?

The ego’s ability to satisfy desires realistically and appropriately.

What is the superego?

The moral, rule-based part of personality that acts as a conscience.

At what age does the superego emerge?

Around age five.

What creates a healthy personality according to Freud?

A strong ego balancing the id and superego.

What is neurosis?

A tendency to experience negative emotions due to imbalance among personality structures.

What is fixation in Freud’s theory?

Being stuck in a developmental stage because of unresolved conflict.

What is an erogenous zone?

The body area associated with pleasure-seeking urges during a psychosexual stage.

What are the five psychosexual stages?

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital.

What age range is the oral stage?

Birth to 1 year.

What is the erogenous zone during the oral stage?

The mouth.

What major conflict occurs during the oral stage?

Weaning from breast or bottle.

What are examples of oral fixation in adulthood?

Smoking, overeating, nail-biting, excessive talking, and drinking.

What develops psychologically during the oral stage?

The infant is primarily all id.

What can inconsistent caregiving during the oral stage lead to?

Oral fixation behaviors in adulthood.

What age range is the anal stage?

1 to 3 years.

What is the erogenous zone during the anal stage?

The anus.

What major conflict occurs during the anal stage?

Toilet training.

What develops during the anal stage?

The ego.

What is anal retentive personality?

A fixation caused by strict potty training leading to neatness, control, and perfectionism.

What is anal expulsive personality?

A fixation caused by lax potty training leading to messiness and disorganization.

What age range is the phallic stage?

3 to 6 years.

What is the erogenous zone during the phallic stage?

The genitals.

What is the Oedipus complex?

A boy’s unconscious attraction to his mother and rivalry with his father.

What is castration anxiety?

Freud’s idea that boys fear punishment from their fathers for desiring their mothers.

What is the Electra complex?

A girl’s unconscious attraction to her father and rivalry with her mother.

What is penis envy?

Freud’s belief that girls feel inferior because they do not have a penis.

When does the superego fully develop?

During resolution of the Oedipus and Electra complexes.

What age range is the latency stage?

6 to 12 years.

What characterizes the latency stage?

Sexual urges become dormant while attention shifts to friendships and social development.

What can failure to make friends during latency lead to?

Shyness or social isolation later in life.

What age range is the genital stage?

12 years through adulthood.

What characterizes the genital stage?

Maturation of sexual interests and strengthening of the ego.

What happens to hormone levels during the genital stage?

Hormones and sexual drives increase significantly.

According to Freud, what happens if development proceeds normally in the genital stage?

The adolescent uses reason to manage urges.

What are defense mechanisms?

Unconscious psychological strategies used to reduce anxiety.

What is denial?

Refusing to accept reality or truth.

What is displacement?

Taking frustrations out on a safer target.

What is projection?

Attributing unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

What is rationalization?

Distorting facts to make behavior or feelings seem acceptable.

What is reaction formation?

Behaving opposite to one’s unacceptable desires.

What is regression?

Returning to childlike behaviors during stress.

What is repression?

Pushing painful thoughts out of conscious awareness.

What is sublimation?

Redirecting unacceptable urges into socially acceptable behaviors.

Why is Freud’s theory criticized?

It is difficult to test scientifically, considered sexist, and heavily influenced by the culture of Freud’s time.

What contribution of Freud’s theory remains influential today?

The importance of early childhood experiences in shaping personality.