Child Psychology: The Modern Science, 3e by Vasta, Haith, and Miller Paul J. Wellman Texas A&M University John Wiley and Sons, Inc. © 1999 PowerPoint  Presentation: Chapter 1 Introduction and Perspective

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Developmental Psychology n Developmental psychology is concerned with changes in behavior and abilities across the lifespan –Developmental psychology has focused on childhood because of the rapid changes evident in this phase of development n Goals of developmental psychology: –Descriptive: Identify children’s behavior at various developmental points –Explanatory: Determine the causes and processes that govern behavioral change

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Benefits of Childhood Studies n Childhood is a period of rapid change n Early experiences, such as those during childhood, are critical for adult behavior n Childhood offers an opportunity to study behaviors in simpler states n Research on children has real world benefits n Children are wondrous creatures that invite study

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Historical Views of Children

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Early Developmental Theorists n John Locke: Argued that children gain knowledge through experience –“Tabula rasa”: The mind is a blank slate at birth; Suggests that goodness and evil are learned behaviors n Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Argued that children are born with innate knowledge that drives development (nativism) n Charles Darwin: Developed concept of “natural selection” in which traits that confer advantages allow the organism to survive

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Pioneers of Child Psychology n G. Stanley Hall: Founded the field of developmental psychology n John B. Watson: Focused research on observable behavior; Proposed a behaviorist theory of development n Sigmund Freud: Focused attention on early childhood experiences; Proposed a 5 stage theory of psychosexual development

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Pioneers of Child Psychology n Arnold Gesell: Focused on maturational processes; Produced age-related norms for development n Jean Piaget: Focused on children’s schemas for understanding; Proposed an influential theory of cognitive development n Erik Erickson: Developed an 8 stage theory of psychosocial development n Lev Vygotsky: Argued that cultural forces are important in developmental change

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development n Children are born with innate sexual energy, termed libido –At various stages of development, libido is focused within certain bodily regions –Stimulation of these regions results in pleasure and gratification –Children move from stage to stage or are fixated within a stage –Stages include: oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Freud’s Contributions n Freud was the first developmental theorist to propose that development represents an interaction between biological systems and environmental influences n Freud suggested that early childhood experiences are critical for adulthood n Freud spurred others to test his theories and to develop their own theories

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development AGE (Yrs)STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT Birth to 1.5Basic trust vs. Mistrust 1.5 to 3Autonomy vs. Shame 3-6Initiative vs. Guilt 6-12Industry vs. Inferiority 12-18Identity vs. Role Confusion Yng. AdultIntimacy vs. Isolation AdultGenerativity vs. Stagnation Older AdultEgo Integrity vs. Despair

© 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Developmental Psychology Issues n NATURE versus NURTURE –Focus is on whether change is inborn (biological) or is the result of experience (environmental) n CONTINUITY versus DISCONTINUITY –Is developmental change smooth or does change occur in stages? n NORMATIVE versus IDIOGRAPHIC –Is the focus of the researcher on the commonalities of children (normative) or on their differences (idiographic)?

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