Module 9: Human development theories

Why are there different theories?Theorists disagree about what has had the most influence on our development and the different ways in which we develop.

Genetic inheritance

Developing through a series of fixed stages

Developing continuously throughout life

Environment

versus

versus

Look at these images and discuss what these differences are.

Module 9: Human development theories

What are the different approaches? Theorists who share the same assumptions about human development and behaviour are said to share the same approach.One approach is Psychodynamic. Can you think of five more?

Behaviourist

Psychodynamic

Cognitive

Approaches to human development

Humanistic

Social Learning

Biological

Module 9: Human development theories

FreudFreud

EriksonErikson

BowlbyBowlby

RutterRutter

Psychodynamic approachEarly childhood experiences are important for the development of personality.Who are the four key theorists? What were their theories about development?

The unconscious mind has a powerful influence on the way we develop and behave.

Developmental stages are related to the social environment of the child and attitude of its parents.

The role of the mother and effects of maternal deprivation are important to early childhood.

Stress in a child’s life is linked to the likelihood of the child becoming a delinquent.

Find out more about the psychodynamic approach and its key theorists here.Record a summary of this approach and its theorists on a downloadable grid here.

Module 9: Human development theories

RogersRogers

MaslowMaslow

Humanistic approachArgues that the way people feel about themselves is very important and affects everything they think, say and do.There are two main theorists. Discuss who they are and what they believed.

People are motivated by a hierarchy of needs. When the lower levels are satisfied they are able to fulfil higher needs.

People need a high level of self-esteem to achieve their full potential.

Find out more about the humanistic approach and its key theorists here.

Esteem

Love/belonging

Safety

Self-actualisation

Physiological

Record a summary of this approach and its theorists on a downloadable grid here. Module 9: Human development theories

Can you label Maslow’s hierarchy? Click each segment to see the labels.

passions, creativity, morality,

problem solving

Self esteem, confidence,

respect of and by othersFriendship, family,

social interaction, intimacy, affection

Security of: body, employment, resources, morality, family, property, health

Food, water, sleep, breathing, health

SkinnerSkinnerPavlovPavlov

Behaviourist approachBelieves that most human behaviour is learned from the environment. We learn to repeat behaviour with a positive consequence and not to repeat behaviour with a negative consequence. There are two key theorists.

Classical conditioning Operant conditioningBuilds on behaviour that already exists

Behaviour is learned from environmental consequences.

We may experience pain at the dentist and so may be conditioned to feel anxious or stressed before going to the dentist.

A child may learn to behave in a certain way because it receives praise or punishment.

Find out more about the behaviourist approach and its key theorists here.

Can you think of examples of when these ideas can be seen?

Record a summary of this approach and its theorists on a downloadable grid here. Module 9: Human development theories

So, nature or nurture?

nurture

PiagetPiaget VygotskyVygotsky

Cognitive approachCognition is processing information about the world around us and adapting our behaviour as a result. Here are the two main theorists. Discuss the key difference in how they believed children learn best.

Children learn best when finding out about themselves – ‘discovery learning’.

Children learn best from social interaction with peers – ‘cooperative learning’.

Find out more about Piaget here and Vygotsky here. Record a summary of this approach and its theorist on a downloadable grid here.

Module 9: Human development theories

BanduraBandura

Social learning approachArgues that the major influences on a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour are other people, our culture and society. There is one key theorist.

Children learn from their environment by observing other people and then imitating what they do.

Find out more about Bandura and the social learning approach here.

How would this theorist explain this child’s behaviour?

Record a summary of this approach and its theorist on a downloadable grid here.

Tom is an angry, aggressive 5 year old boy. His father is an alcoholic and often loses his temper with his family.

Record your ideas here:Record your ideas here:

Tom is imitating his father’s aggressive behaviour.

Module 9: Human development theories

GesellGesellCattellCattellEysenckEysenck

Biological approachArgues that our physical development, behaviour and personalities are the result of the interaction of our genes and our nervous and endocrine systems.

Believed there are two personality dimensions: Extrovert-Introvert and Stable-neurotic.

Claimed there are 16 source traits to make up personality.

Maturation: predetermined and regular development of children from birth through stages in a fixed sequence.

There are three main theorists for this approach. Discuss what they believed.

Find out more about the biological approach here.

Have a go at Cattell’s personality test here.

nature

Record a summary of this approach and its theorists on a downloadable grid here.

Module 9: Human development theories

So, nature or nurture?

Behaviourist(1 click)

Social Learning(2 clicks)

Biological(3 clicks)

Match the beliefs and theorists below to the three approaches on the right. Click to highlight the colour that matches the approach.

Eysenck

Cattell

Bandura

Behaviour builds on natural reflexes

that already exist

Most human behaviour is learned

From our environment

Children learn from their environment by

imitating others

Which approach?

We can be conditioned to behave in certain ways Pavlov

We can be categorised as a particular personality type

Generic inheritancedetermines our

behaviour

Major influences are our culture and society Skinner

Module 9: Human development theories

Human development: what do you think?There is no single ‘right’ approach that answers all questions about human behaviour and development.

Discuss these questions:

• Does a poor home life mean you are likely to become a delinquent?

• Are our intelligence and personality the result of nature, nurture or a combination of both?

• Is our personality at 3 years old an indication of what we will be like at 30 years old?

• Do we develop through fixed stages or develop continuously throughout our lives?

• Does watching violence on television or in films make us more aggressive?

Module 9: Human development theories