College Access and Success: A Developmental Approach

Theories of Development

Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory Ages 11 and up – Formal Operational Think abstractly Critically and logically analyze situations Begin to think about the future

How does this information help us? Process information Risk taking behavior Thinking of the future

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages 12 to 18 years – Identity vs. Role Confusion Adolescents build on all earlier experiences to develop a sense of self-identity Time of turmoil resulting from an identity crisis

How does this information help us? College Going Identity Affliation Identity Formation

How does this information help us? Motivation Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic

Bandura’s Social Theory People learn from one another by observation, imitation, and modeling Attention, memory, and motivation Explains human behavior in terms of continuous, reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences Self-efficacy – your belief in your own abilities to deal with various situations

How does this information help us? Motivation Peer influence

How does this information help us? Building Self-Efficacy (your belief in your own abilities to deal with various situations) Mastery Experiences Observing Others Social Persuasion Affect

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory Development is shaped by the varied systems of the child’s environment and also by the inter-relationships among the systems The relationships are reciprocal – the environment influences the child and the child influences the environment

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

How does this information help us? We can make a difference! The more we engage in the child’s environment, the greater the influence

Sanford’s Theory of Support and Challenge Suggested that a balance of challenge and support must be present for development to occur

How does this information help us? Too much help, student doesn’t grow Too little help, student gets discouraged and doesn’t grow

Self-Regulation Focus Attention Plan Delay gratification Solve complex problems Self-reflect Regulate feelings