Philosophers such as Plato and Descartes supported the idea that some ideas are inborn.
Today, most psychologists believe an interaction between both of these forces creates development.
Some aspects of development are distinctly biological, such as puberty.
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However, the onset of puberty can be affected by environmental factors such as diet and nutrition.
Psychoanalytic theorists tend to focus on events that occur in early childhood.
According to Freud, much of a child’s personality is completely established by the age of five.
Many people with less-than-perfect childhoods go on to develop normally into well-adjusted adults.
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
A third major issue in developmental psychology is that of continuity.
Does change occur smoothly over time, or through a series of predetermined steps?
Other theories outline a series of sequential stages, with certain skills emerging at certain developmental stages.
Learning Theories
Learning theories focus on how the environment impacts behavior.
Important learning processes includeclassical conditioning,operant conditioning, and social learning.
In each case, behavior isshapedby interactions between the individual and their environment.
Cognitive Theories
Cognitive theories focus on the development of mental processes, skills, and abilities.
Examples of cognitive theories includePiaget’s theory of cognitive development.
Abnormal Behavior vs.
Differences
One of the biggest concerns of many parents is whether or not their child is developing normally.
Today, psychologists look at both norms and individual differences when describing and analyzing child development.
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