Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology - Discussion

Responses

Student 1
Lettitia Clarke
Email has been sent.
3/21/2016 5:33:53 PM
Developmental Psychology

PS 220- 02
Professor Seward
Unit 1
Discussion
3-21-16

I think that it is important for psychology professional to have an understanding of developmental psychology even if they do not work specifically with children because a lot of the problems that some adults have in life stem or progress from when they are a child.

Piaget a Swiss biologist and psychologist is known for making the model of a child's development and learning. In his theory there are four stages; Sensorimotor stage, Preoperational Stage, Concrete operation, and Formal operations. During the development stages that Piaget modeled the child learns from his or her environment using maps that was constructed mentally. If it is one that was learned before then it is understood. If it is something new is learned, then the map is reconfigured to fit in the new situation or thing.

Erikson a psychoanalyst describes development stages uses specific things or situations to show human development they are Trust vs Mistrust (infant), autonomy verses shame and doubt (toddler), initiative verses guilt (preschooler), industry verses inferiority(School-age), identity verses role confusion (adolescent), Generativity verses stagnation (Middle-age), Integrity verses despair (older Adult)

Vygotsky's theory is that the fundamental role of social interaction in the developmental of the cognition is very important. Is theory is also known as the Social development theory

Student 2
Georgia Webster
Email has been sent.
3/23/2016 3:30:45 PM

Unit 1 discussion

Good evening Professor and classmates,

Why is it important for psychology professionals to have an understanding of developmental psychology even if they do not work specifically with children?

It is important to study developmental psychology because it can give you a better understanding of your client's life. This would be where nature vs nurture would come into working with adult clients. Nature are your genes and things you have inherited, where nurture is the environment that influenced you. Adults were once children and nature and nurture are carried on to adulthood from childhood. This could help with a client who has problems that have stemmed from some point in their childhood, with this knowledge it would be easier to help the client and for you to identify what stage of childhood the problem stemmed from.

Piaget, Erikson, and Vygotsky are important theorists in developmental psychology. In your own words, describe briefly the focal point that each theorist places on childhood development. Be sure to provide actual terms and key words used by each theorist.

Piaget- He had five theories of development. The first was nature vs nurture. Nature is what you are born with and nurture is how your environment contributes to your learning and personality. Next is sociocultural influence. This is where he believes all children adapt the same other than some are influenced by environment or culture, but for the most part are all the same. Then there is continuity/discontinuity, this is when they are used to one thing and replaced by another. They do recognize that is same but different as well. Then interaction among domain, which is changes in cognitive development. Lastly, is risk/resilience, he put more emphasis on how children were alike, and he was able to notice risk factors on learning.

Erikson- Nature vs nurture in Erikson's views, children need experience in socialization and conflict resolution as well as to develop their own personalities. Sociocultural influence, children need encouragement in the early years to carry into their adult lives.

Continuity/discontinuity, he says there are eight stages of personality development and if they skip one of the stages it may still be resolved in a later stage. Interactions among domains, this is when a person develops their identity. This means social, psychological, and environmental factors. Risk/resilience, each individual is different and each culture is different is also.

Vygotsky- "Contextual Theories and Themes in Development Contextual models generally agree on many of the themes in development, and where differences exist, they are most often found in ethological theories." (Bukatko, 2008 p. 33) The child needs to be engaged with their environment to learn especially from adults and caregivers. They need larger social settings to study how the child reacts. Certain stages are more critical to the child's need for safety and love. Vygotsky believed that language was very important. Also that if you read to a child everyday then eventually the child would develop the same habit. It is basically a monkey see monkey do situation.

Sincerely,
Georgia
References:

Bukatko, Danuta (2008) Child and Adolescent Development: A Chronological Approach. p.33. [Cengage] ISBN: 13: 978-0-618-34920-3 ISBN: 10: 0-618-34920.