PSYCHOLOGY AND

NOTABLE DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Child Development

Definition of Psychology

Study of human behavior and mental capabilities.

Explain human behavior.Want to help correct or cope with

abnormal behavior.Brain research.

What Psychologists Study

Knowledge acquisition (learning)Language developmentMemorySocial interactionsMorality developmentMotivationBrain functioningPersonalityAbnormalities in growth and development

Historical influences on Psychology

Ancient civilizations.Late 1800’s began formal study of

psychology. Legitimate science?Early researchers were trying to understand

how the mind functions to control our behaviors.

Fix “abnormal” people.

Developmental Psychology

Study of changes that occur in humans across the lifespan.

Child development – birth through 12 years.

Early childhood development - birth to age 5.

Preschoolers are children from ages 3-5. Child care - act of meeting needs of

children.

Notable Child Development Theorists

Jean Piaget (1896-1980)Erik Erikson (1902-1994)Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)Robert Havighurst (1900-1991)Howard Gardner (1943 - )

Jean Piaget (1896-1980)

Swiss researcher.Advocate for the education of children.First psychologist to focus on child

development theory.4 stage theory.

Jean Piaget Theory

1. Sensorimotor Stage(birth to age 2) – children use senses to explore and understand their world.

2. Preoperational Stage (2-7 years) – children gaining motor skills, cannot think logically, egocentric thoughts (self-centered).

3. Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years) – children think logically but only literally, no longer egocentric.

4. Formal Operational Stage (11-16 & into adulthood) – capable of abstract thought and logical thinking.

Erik Erikson (1902-1994)

Born and raised in GermanyInterested in the concepts of identity &

personalityBroke the lifespan up into 8 stages, each of

which had a milestone to overcome. Milestones are referred to as “virtues.”

Successful attainment of each virtue allowed a person to move onto the next stage of life.

Erik Erikson’s Theory of Personality

Age – Developmental Task – Virtue Gained1. Infancy (birth – 1) Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (hope)2. Toddlers (1-3) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (will)3. Preschooler (3-6) Initiative vs. Guilt

(purpose/independence)4. School-age (6-11) Industry vs. Inferiority (competence)5. Adolescence (12-23) Identity vs. Role Confusion (fidelity)6. Young Adult (24-40) Intimacy vs. Isolation (love)7. Mid Adult (40-60+) Generativity vs. Stagnation (caring)8. Old Age (60+) Ego Integrity vs. Despair (wisdom)

Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)

Russian psychologist. Research was kept secret by the Russian

government until the 1960s.Interested in the educational use of

psychology.Theory called Social Development TheoryTheory consists of three major themes:

1. Social interaction precedes learning2. The More Knowledgable Other3. Zone of Proximal Development

Educator’s role is that of facilitator.

Robert Havighurst (1900-1991)

American educator.Identified developmental stages of human

growth and notable tasks to master during each stage.

Stages:Infancy and Early Childhood (birth -6)Middle Childhood (6-13)Adolescence (13-18)Early Adulthood (18-30)Middle Age (30-60)Later Maturity (60+)

Robert Havighurst continued

Developmental tasks of each stage are influenced by physical maturity, personal values, and social pressure.

Tasks of early childhood include: learning to control limbs, speech, toileting, forming basic educational concepts (counting, letter recognition, shapes etc.).

Howard Gardner (1943 - )

Born in Scranton Pennsylvania.Currently teaches cognition at Harvard.One of the most prominent modern researchers.Developed the theory of Multiple IntelligencesTheory proposes 8+ different ways to express

intelligence: linguistic, mathematicalkinesthetic, spatial, musical, naturalistic interpersonal and intrapersonal.

Theory helps teachers reach all types of learners. Parents can address specific needsof their children. All children feel successful.