1.5: Developmental Theories and Theorists
- Page ID
- 233800
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)What is a theory?
Students sometimes feel intimidated when they see or hear the word theory and fear learning about theories will be too complex or difficult to grasp, but basically all that is necessary to understand is that theories are simply a system of ideas or possible explanations for something. In early childhood education theories are simply different "hows" and "whys" of child development.
A simple definition of theory is a well-supported explanation or an organized set of ideas that helps explain facts or events. In science, a theory is a robust explanation, not a guess, that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed.
Theories are valuable tools for understanding human behavior. Have you ever wondered,
- “Why is this 3-year-old so inquisitive?”
- “Why are some fifth graders rejected by their classmates?”
Theories can help explain these and other occurrences.
Why are theories important?
Developmental theories offer explanations about how we develop, why we change over time and the kinds of influences that impact development.
A theory guides and helps us interpret research findings as well. It provides the researcher with a blueprint or model to be used to help piece together various studies. Think of theories as guidelines or a set of instructions that help you accomplish a task rather than being left to a process of trial and error.
Theories may be developed using induction -- a method of drawing conclusions from specific observations where patterns or similarities that are noted. Theorists develop ideas based on these patterns. Theories are used in science and everyday life to make predictions about the future based on past experiences.
Many theories are tested through research and scientific investigation, but theories that are difficult to test through scientific methodologies are still useful in stimulating debate or providing concepts that have practical everyday applications.
Keep in mind that theories are not facts; they are simply guidelines for investigation and practice, and they gain credibility through research that fails to disprove them.
On the following pages we will look at some of the key theories in child development and the different theorists who developed them.
Child Developmental Theories and Theorists
Child development theories explore the how and why children change over time - from infancy through adolescence. They cover growth and development in areas such as
- cognitive development
- social learning theory
- emotional growth
Key Child Development Theories and Theorists
Child development theorists have different perspectives on how children develop and contribute to a deeper understanding of human development.
Learning theories focus on how we respond to events or stimuli rather than emphasizing what motivates our actions. These theories provide an explanation of how experience can change what we are capable of doing or feeling.
- Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
- Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory
- Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
- Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
- Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model
- Gesell's Maturationalist Theory
- Bowlby's Attachment Theory
- Greenspan's Social-Emotional Theory
- Gerber's Educarer Theory
Today, many popular child development theories include a combination of factors:
- psychological
- social
- environmental
Understanding how these factors influence children is key to both understanding their growth and providing appropriate support at each stage of development.
Source
- Introduction to Developmental Theories by Lumen Learning is licensed under CC BY 4.0