Theory & Research Discussion Paper

https://www.apa.org/research/action/mer

Prior to completing this discussion, please read the required chapter from the Lerner, Easterbrooks, Mistry, & Weiner (2013) ebook, Baltes (1987), Hudson-Barr (2004), and American Psychological Association (Links to an external site.) (2003) articles. Additionally, review the Human Development Theoretical Perspectives document required for this week.

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Select one of the perspectives identified in the Theoretical Perspectives to Understand Human Development document and identify one theory (Freud’s Psychosexual Theory, Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, etc.) that you would like to explore more.

Explain the theory you selected providing a well-developed overview. In addition, research one peer-reviewed article from your selected theoretical perspective in the Ashford University Library. Summarize the article being sure to include research question(s) and/or problem(s), target population and sample (specific group within the target population), measures (tests, instruments, and/or questionnaires used), procedures (how the study was conducted), and conclusions presented in the article. Analyze the ethical considerations, as well as the benefits and limitations of the research proposing solutions or suggestions for any issues or concerns.

HumanDevelopment_TheoreticalPerspectiveChart.pdf

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES TO UNDERSTAND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & GUIDE RESEARCH

PERSPECTIVE NOTABLE THEORIES/EXAMPLES THAT ALIGN MAIN IDEA

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL EMPHASES (Biopsychosocial = the interacting of biological,

sociocultural, and psychological forces on development)

NATURE or NURTURE (Nature = genetic factors that influence development)

(Nurture = environmental factors that influence development) Psychodynamic  Sigmund Freud, Psychosexual Theory

 Erik Erikson, Psychosocial Theory

 In both theories, development occurs across a sequence of stages

 Both theories emphasize psychological, social, and life-cycle forces as crucial in development

 Nature & Nurture

 Universal sequence for all, but individual differences in rate

Learning  Behaviorism (John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner)

 Environment controls behavior  In all theories, some emphasis on biological and psychological factors, but most is placed on social

 Nurture

 Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)

 People learn through observation & interaction

 Nurture

Cognitive  Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development (Jean Piaget)

 For Piaget & Kohlberg development occurs across a sequence of stages

 For Piaget & Kohlberg the main emphasis is placed on biological and social forces

 For Piaget & Kohlberg, strong bent toward nature

 Universal sequence of stages

 Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development (Lawrence Kohlberg)

 Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (Lev Vygotsky)

 Development is influenced by culture

 Emphasis is placed on psychological and social forces

 Nature & Nurture

Ecological  Ecological Systems Theory (Urie Bronfenbrenner)

 Developing person is embedded in a series of interacting systems

 Heavy emphasis is placed on social forces  Nature & Nurture

Humanistic  Carl Rogers; Abraham Maslow  Emphasizes free will and the ability of humans to make choices about their life.

 Has had little impact on the field of lifespan development as the humanistic perspective does not identify any developmental change that is the result of increasing age or experience.

 Rejects the idea that behavior is determined by unconscious processes, learning from the environment, or cognitive processing, but that people make their own choices about life.

 Bent toward nurture

Source: Adapted from Kail & Cavanaugh, 2007; Feldman, 2014