1. Overview of Theories of Child Development
Dorothy Stubbe, M.D.
Yale Child Study Center

2. Goals and Objectives
To review some of the major theories and concepts of normal human development
To highlight the utility and limitations of developmental stage theories
To utilize vignettes of a normal child to highlight key concepts in child development

3. Outline Historical Context of views of human development
Developmental Issues
Three Theories of Child Development
Psychoanalytic
Cognitive
Behavioral

4. The measure of a society is its reverence for children
-Arnold Gesell

5. 1. The Nature Nurture Debates Three Centuries and Going Strong
Jean Jacques Rousseau ( ) Innate goodness
Maturation Genes
John Locke ( )
Tabula rasa
Experience Environment

6. Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene Caspi et al, Science 2003

7. 2. Is Development Continuous?
Discontinuity Maturation Distinct stages
Continuity Experience Smooth phases

8. 3. Early vs. Late Influences
Goodness of Fit

11. Primary Parental Preoccupations
Transitional Object
Good Enough Mother

14. Behavioral Learning Theories
Classical Conditioning
Pavlov
Watson– fear reaction in little Albert
John Wolpe and systematic desensitization
Operant Conditioning
Thorndike and Law of Effect
BF Skinner and Behaviorism

18. Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning in practice
Example: fear of doctors after vaccination
Treatments
Extinction (systematic desensitization)
Treatments of fears and phobias

20. Operant Conditioning Reinforcements Clinical Relevance Positive
Negative
Punishment
Clinical Relevance
Sticker charts and positive reinforcements
Behavior plans
Parent management training
Biofeedback
Job satisfaction

21. Important Theorists Psychodynamic Sigmund Freud– psychosexual stages
Erik Erikson– epigenic model of developmental stages throughout life
Anna Freud– ego psychology and defense mechanisms

22. Important Theorists Object relations theory
Winnicott– good enough mother and transitional object
John Bowlby– attachment theory
Margaret Mahler– separation and individuation and rapprochement crisis
Daniel Stern– Interpersonal World of the Infant and 4 senses of self (Emergent, Core, Subjective and Verbal). Cognitive-emotional-and internal development are intertwined

23. Development Matters

24. Gender Matters

25. Learning Objectives: Review
How may we advance from the nature-nurture controversy to a deeper understanding of child development?
How may understanding three major schools of thought on human development inform our work in child and adolescent psychiatry?
Which theories of human development may be most helpful in psychoeducation of a parent on appropriate discipline techniques?