Theoretical Perspectives of Development

Paper Summary:

This paper highlights various major developmental theories -specifically the psychoanalytic, psychosocial, learning and cognitive theories of development. It describes the framework of each theory in relation to a child's physical capabilities. The paper concludes that, through this analysis, it becomes apparent that each theory overlaps with others.

From the Paper:

"One of the most well known cognitive developmental theorists is Piaget, who gave us four major steps to cognitive development beginning with the sensorimotor stage that begins with birth through approximately two years of age when the child organizes his actions based on the environment perceived through sensory and motor activity (Papalia, Olds & Feldman, 2006). The next phases are the preoperational stage from two years to seven years of age when language skills take the forefront through symbols or words, the concrete operations stage running from seven to eleven years of age when the child can begin thinking in terms of logical progression, but cannot yet think abstractly (Papalia, Olds & Feldman, 2006). The final stage in Piaget's theory is the formal operations stage that begins at age 11 and continues into adulthood where the individual can think in the abstract and can entertain "what-if" thinking (Papalia, Olds & Feldman, 2006)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bruner, J. S. (2002). A short history of psychological theories of learning. Daedalus. Retrieved on August 15, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3.asp?DOCID=1G1:122164106&ctrlInfo=Round20%3AProd%3ADOC%3AResult&ao=
• Kroes, M., Kalff, A. C., Steyaert, J., Kessels, A., Feron, F., Hendriksen, J., Zeben, T., Van Troost, J., Jolles, J. & Vles, J. (2002). A longitudinal community study: do psychosocial risk factors and Child Behavior Checklist scores at 5 years of age predict psychiatric diagnoses at a later age? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved on August 15, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3.asp?DOCID=1G1:90042615&ctrlInfo=Round20%3AProd%3ADOC%3AResult&ao=
• Papalia, D., Olds, S., & Feldman, R. (2006). A child's world: Infancy through adolescence (10th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

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