Theory and Critical Thinking Week 2 Concepts of Human Learning and Development

Purr and snarl words Chocolate Coffee Reading Writing Television What is your reaction to the word theory?

Definition of a theory A theory organises the data, ideas and hypotheses, and states them in coherent, interrelated, general propositions, principles, or laws (Rice, 2001, p.23)

Psychoanalytic Theory – Freud This theory outlines the significance of early childhood experiences and unconscious motivations in influencing behaviour. Freud says personality consists of 3 components: Id Ego Superego

Socio-emotional Development Erikson Erikson divided human development into eight stages Each stage needs to be mastered to build a positive quality in personality and before further development occur If the stage is not mastered then the ego is damaged because of a negative quality being incorporated in it

Classical Conditioning – Pavlov The association of a new response with an existing stimulus to form a response pair. Classic example is the pairing of the ringing bell with presentation of food to dogs. After repeated pairing, the dog will salivate upon hearing the bell even if the food is not present

Operant Conditioning – Skinner A form of learning in which voluntary behaviour becomes more or less likely to be repeated depending on its consequences. Also known as Skinnerian or instrumental conditioning.

Social Learning Theory – Bandura Response consequences (such as rewards or punishments) influence the chances that a person will perform a particular behavior again in a given situation. Humans learn by observing others, in addition to learning by participating in the act. Individuals are likely to model the behaviour of those they identify with (Bandura, 1986)

Tabula Rasa – Locke Individuals begin life as blank slates on which teachers impart knowledge. Parents have the opportunity to shape the behaviour of their children Also known as Behaviourism

Hierarchy of Needs – Maslow Humans naturally strive to satisfy their needs Maslow identifies five needs: Self-actualisation Esteem Love Safety Physiological

Cognitive Development – Piaget Children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore the world around them. Four stages: Sensorimotor stage Pre-operational stage Concrete operational stage Formal operational stage

Ethological Theory – Lorenz Ethology emphasises that behaviour is a product of evolution and is biologically determined. Lorenz called the process of developing an attachment for the first object seen as imprinting. Bonding in humans bares some resemblance.

An eclectic theoretical perspective Remember No one theory completely explains the complexity and diversity of human learning and development

Critical Thinking Definitions Four key aspects to critical thinking Thurmond: an ability; disposition; skill; process Sofo: tolerance for ambiguity; development of mental awareness; empathy Four key aspects to critical thinking

Behaviours of a critical thinker Critical thinkers formulate Hypotheses Alternative ways of viewing Questions Possible solutions Plans for investigation

Dispositions of a critical thinker Determines and maintains focus Takes the whole situation into account Seeks and offers reasons Is well informed Looks for alternatives Withholds judgment if reasons for evidence are insufficient

Abilities of a critical thinker Analyses arguments Judges the credibility of a source Identifies the focus of an issue Answers questions Asks questions Clarifies and challenges the information before him or her

Bloom’s Taxonomy (1956) Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation