Overview of Theories of Child Development

Overview of Theories of Child Overview of Theories of Child DevelopmentDevelopment

Dorothy Stubbe, M.D.Yale Child Study Center

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives1. To review some of the major theories

and concepts of normal human development

2. To highlight the utility and limitations of developmental stage theories

3. To utilize vignettes of a normal child to highlight key concepts in child development

OutlineOutline

• Historical Context of views of human development

• Developmental Issues• Three Theories of Child Development

• Psychoanalytic• Cognitive• Behavioral

The measure of a society is its reverence for children

-Arnold Gesell

1. The Nature Nurture Debates1. The Nature Nurture DebatesThree Centuries and Going StrongThree Centuries and Going Strong

John Locke (1632-1704)Tabula rasaExperience

Environment

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Innate goodnessMaturation

Genes

Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene

Caspi et al, Science 2003

2. Is Development Continuous?2. Is Development Continuous?

DiscontinuityMaturation

Distinct stages

ContinuityExperience

Smooth phases

3. Early vs. Late Influences3. Early vs. Late Influences

Goodness of Fit

Primary Parental Preoccupations

Transitional Object

Good Enough Mother

Behavioral Learning TheoriesBehavioral 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

Classical ConditioningClassical Conditioning• Classical conditioning in practice

– Example: fear of doctors after vaccination

• Treatments– Extinction (systematic desensitization)– Treatments of fears and phobias

Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning• Reinforcements

• Positive• Negative• Punishment

• Clinical Relevance• Sticker charts and positive reinforcements• Behavior plans• Parent management training• Biofeedback• Job satisfaction

Important TheoristsImportant Theorists• Psychodynamic

– Sigmund Freud– psychosexual stages– Erik Erikson– epigenic model of

developmental stages throughout life– Anna Freud– ego psychology and

defense mechanisms

Important TheoristsImportant 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

Development Matters

Gender Matters

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: ReviewReview

1.1. How may we advance from the nature-nurture How may we advance from the nature-nurture controversy to a deeper understanding of controversy to a deeper understanding of child development?child development?

2.2. How may understanding three major schools How may understanding three major schools of thought on human development inform our of thought on human development inform our work in child and adolescent psychiatry?work in child and adolescent psychiatry?

3.3. Which theories of human development may Which theories of human development may be most helpful in psychoeducation of a be most helpful in psychoeducation of a parent on appropriate discipline techniques?parent on appropriate discipline techniques?