Theories Explaining Mild Disabilities

Theories Historically Religion--understand man’s relation to god Philosophy--understand meaning of individual’s life Psychology--understand man’s relation to man (social) and to environment through science Abnormal Psychology & Abnormal Child Psychology Education--understand children’s learning Special Education

Why theory? Prediction Prevention Systematic study

Endogenous, for example:  Genetic/chromosomal abnormalities  Neural tube birth defects  Inherited structural brain differences  Temperament Thomas, Chess and Birch (1969, 1977) The Easy Child - (40%) regularity, adaptability, and a positive approach to new stimuli. The Difficult Child - (10%) irregularity in biological functions, poor adaptability and negative and intense moods. The Slow-To-Warm-Up Child - (15%) slow but eventually positive adaptability both to change and to new situations The remaining 35% showed no consistent pattern. Biological Causes 25%

Environmental Causes 75% Exogenous, for example:  Malnutrition  Environmental deprivation  Child abuse/neglect  Brain injuries

Mixed Causes or Etiologies: Biological vulnerability + harsh enviornment (e.g., stress) 1.allergies, diabetes, 2.biochemical imbalances (sensitivities of neurotransmitters) 3.even abused children –children who have been abused: w/disabilities (33% of all children) vs. w/o disabilities (9% of all children) – the number neglected is even more found in disabled populations 4. IQ-- genes account for 48 percent (LESS than half) of the factors that determine IQ. Prenatal development important (e.g, nutrition, toxins)

Major Theories A. Developmental B. Learning C. Ecological/Sociological

Mixed Causes: A. DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES Disability occurs when an individual fails to follow or is delayed in a developmental sequence. A1. Psychodynamic A2. Psychoeductional A3. Cognitive A4. Moral

A1. Psychodynamic Personality = id, ego, superego Deviant behavior –fixation at psychosexual stages –unconscious conflicts among id, ego, superego producing anxiety –defense mechanisms handling anxiety

A2. Psychoeducational Development Psychosocial or ego-development stage –trust vs. mistrust (depression) –autonomy vs. shame and doubt (anxiety) –initiative vs. guilt –industry vs. inferiority –identity vs. identity diffusion –intimacy vs. isolation, –generativity vs. stagnation, and –ego integration vs. despair. (Erickson)

A3. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development STAGES: Sensorimotor phase Preoperational phase Concrete operational phase Formal operations phase

A4. Kohlberg’s Moral Development Level 1: –Stage 1 Avoid punishment –Stage 2 Gain reward Level 2 –Stage 3 Gain approval –Stage 4 Defined by rules Level 3 –Stage 5 for the Public good –Stage 6 related to abstract principles (compassion)

Single Cause B. LEARNING THEORIES (Behavioral) Behavior is learned by laws of reinforcement –example: Pavlov’s dogs & Alfred and bunny Deviant behavior is learned in the same way –example: Alfred and bunny, dog fears,

Related Learning Theories: 1. Social Learning Theory (Bandura) –Learn by observing, especially complex behavior 2. Cognitive Behavior Theory –applying reinforcement laws to thoughts (beliefs) 3. Learning and Motivation

Single Cause: C. ECOLOGICAL/SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES Deviance a socially determined status (not an individual trait) Deviance = mismatch between: –Environment--rules, consequences opportunities, norms learned from family, school, friends/neighbor/ community –Child--instincts, abilities, temperament Intervention = a teacher or social worker works with family and school to reinterpret the child's behavior and to change their requirements and expectations regarding that behavior to reduce the conflict in the interactions

Multifactor Functional Etiologies Biological Factors +  Brain injury  Genetic predispositions  Temperament  Physical illnesses Environmental Factors Family  Parenting styles  Family dysfunction  Substance abuse Culture  School Failure  Irrelevant curricula  Classroom management conflicts  Mass media

What is my Theory? A. Developmental theories 1.Moral development 2.Cognitive development 3.Psychoeducational 4.Psychodynamic B. Learning theories 1.Behavioral 2.Social learning 3.Cognitive behavioral C. Ecological/Sociological theories D. Genetic/innate plus environmental theories (functional) 1. Stimulation/arousal