Theoretical Perspectives - EDUC 311

CONCORDIA EDUC 311 Theoretical Perspectives Where are we? Readings and Mediagraphy Required: FYI: Chapter 4 Introduction Child development: a field of study devoted to understanding constancy and change from conception through adolescence Developmental science: a...

CONCORDIA EDUC 311 Theoretical Perspectives Where are we? Readings and Mediagraphy Required: FYI: Chapter 4 Introduction Child development: a field of study devoted to understanding constancy and change from conception through adolescence Developmental science: a larger, interdisciplinary field that includes all changes we experience throughout the lifespan The Scope of the Field of Lifespan Development Physical development involves the body’s physical makeup, including the brain, nervous system, muscles, and senses, and the need for food, drink, and sleep as a determinant of behavior. Cognitive development involves the ways that growth and change in learning, memory, problem solving, and intelligence influence a person’s behavior. Socio-emotional development is the way in which individuals’ interactions with others and their social relationships grow, change, and remain stable over the course of life. Reasons to learn a. Child rearing and education b. Informing social policy a. Ex. whether playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior c. Insights into human nature a. ex. early vs later experiences Parenting as Socialization Agents As the behavioral and social sciences moved from a unidirectional to a bidirectional model of parenting, theorists began to focus on children‘s needs and the impact that parenting, either positive or negative, could have on children. Democratic approaches to parenting are important. Encouragement, setting appropriate limits, mutual respect between family members, and collective decision making. Theories and Their Function Theory: an orderly, integrated set of statements that describes, explains, and predicts behavior Theories are flexible ideas, reflections, and observations; they try to find meaning and order from those observations. They are influenced by the social context, experiences, educational background, and opinions of the theorists behind them. Theories as Building Blocks Various psychological theories and approaches concerning parent-child relations build one on top of the other, acknowledging previous contributions and incorporating much of the wisdom in an eclectic manner. The five main approaches chosen here, each represents a paradigm shift in thinking: Psychoanalytic, Psychosocial and related approaches Behaviorist, Cognitive Behavioral and related approaches Humanistic and related approaches Systemic, Family Systems and related approaches Neuroscience and related approaches Psychoanalytic - Psychosocial Development Theory and Parenting Erik Erikson Mental change as a process throughout the lifespan (extension of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical approach covering the lifespan). Each stage of life has its own ‘psychosocial crisis’ which ideally needs to be resolved. Significant others assist or inhibit the developmental progress at each stage. How well a person meets and masters a particular stage can be reflected in psychosocial attitudes and feelings. Reciprocal interaction within the family is seen as a key component. Behaviorism and Social Learning Theories Behaviorism: views directly observable events—stimuli and responses—as appropriate focus of study Traditional behaviorism: Classical conditioning (Ivan Pavlov and John Watson) Operant conditioning (B. F. Skinner): behavior is affected by reinforcers and punishment Social learning theory (Albert Bandura): modeling (imitation or observational learning) as a powerful source of development Cognitive Theories Jean Piaget Cognitive development– how humans come to know and understand the world. Cognition based on schemes. Piaget’s stages: Sensorimotor (birth–2 years) Preoperational (2–7 years) Concrete operational (7–11 years) Formal operational (11 years on)  Sociocultural Theory Lev Vygotsky Emphasizes self-efficacy and self-esteem. Social interaction is basis of child’s learning. A child’s culture shapes the thinking about and understanding of their world. Children are curious and actively involved in learning. More Knowledgeable Other (M K O). Zone of Proximal Development (Z P D). Children use language to power mental development. Scaffolding. Assertive and supportive care. Interdependence is central to development. Attachment Theory and Parenting John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth Attachment Theory focuses on the connection between an infant’s early bonding experiences with a parent or caregiver and their ability to form trusting and loving relationships later in life. Having consistent, loving parents or significant reliable caregivers allows development of trust and is the foundation for attachment. Interruptions may be caused by absent or inadequate parenting and elicit separation anxiety. Instinctive attachment is a biological need. Strengthened by care and responsiveness. Harry Harlow studied monkeys in situations with wire- mesh and terry-cloth surrogate mothers. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Results pointed to infant need for contact comfort.  The Family as a System (1) Bidirectional influence concerning the climate of the family group. Changes in family life and family functioning. Structural functionalism: social roles of family members and how the family integrates with other social institutions. Families operate in ways similar to other systems in nature. Helps to explain processes of making decisions, setting goals, and establishing rules to regulate behavior. How families respond to change, and their need in seeking homeostasis (balance). Subsystems of each system.  Family Systems Theory: Principles (2) Wholeness: a family is greater than the sum of its parts. Interdependence: anything that affects one family member also affects every other family member to an extent. Patterns: regulate member behavior and allows anticipation of each other’s behavior. Rules (implicit, explicit, negotiable, non- negotiable), roles, communication styles (verbal, nonverbal, contextual). Reciprocal Interaction and Feedback: causality is a reciprocal interaction between people and systems. Boundaries: establish limits that distinguish a family system from all others and differentiate the members within the family systems.  Family Systems Theory: Principles (3) Entropy: disorder or chaos in system functioning that results from lack of information or input from outside the system as a means of a resolving a crisis or problem. Adaptation: adjustments that allow the family to continue to function effectively. Homeostasis: stability over time (dynamic equilibrium). Equifinality: families share common goals but members reach these goals differently. Ecological Systems Theory and Parenting (1) Urie Bronfenbrenner Role and effects of different environments on individual and family functioning (including parent- child relations). Sociocultural view. Five nested layers of bidirectional interactions: Microsystem: environments provided by family, peers, school, neighborhood. Ecological Systems Theory and Parenting (2) Mesosystem: interactions between first and all other systems, facilitates communication between microsystem and exosystem. Example: academic performance and social interactions are influenced by child’s family life and vice versa. Exosystem: government agencies, community programs, employment setting of parents. Ecological Systems Theory and Parenting (3) Macrosystem: larger culture including broad, generalized beliefs, behavior patterns, and value systems of a particular society. Chronosystem: dimension of time; organization of events and changes over the lifespan of an individual at a particular historical time. Why “Which Perspective Is Right?” Is the Wrong Question Each perspective emphasizes somewhat different aspects of development Each perspective is based on its own premises The various theoretical perspectives provide different ways of looking at development An Eclectic Theoretical Orientation (contemporary) No single theory can explain the complexities of lifespan development Each theory contributes a different element of development