Theories of Human Development

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the main theories of human development, including environmental versus epigenetic theories, Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Watson's behaviorist theory and Skinner's classical conditioning theory. The paper also examines Bandura's social learning theory, Piaget's cognitive theory, Maslow's concept of humanism and Kohlberg's seven stages of moral development.

Outline:
Introduction
Environmental versus Epigenetic Theories
Psychoanalytic Theory
Behaviorist Theory (Watson)
Classical Conditioning
Social Learning Theory
Cognitive Theory
Humanism
Stages of Moral Development
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"There has always been a substantial disagreement between 'nature versus nurture.' Epigenetic theories assume that the human is primarily influenced in his/her development by genetic factors (Ojiem, 2006), while environmental theorists emphasize the influence of environmental--'nurture'--as the primary influence on development.
"Most recent works have cited the combination of the two (Groduitskii, 2001) as providing an influence on overall development."

Sample of Sources Used:

• AllPsych. (2004, March 23). Personality Synopsys. Retrieved June 10, 2007, from AllPsych Online: http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/freud.html
• Association for Humanistic Psychology. (2001). Humanistic Psychology Overview. Retrieved June 10, 2007, from Association for Humanistic Psychology: http://www.ahpweb.org/aboutahp/whatis.html
• Atherton, J. (2005). Piaget. Retrieved June 10, 2007, from Learning and Teaching: http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm
• Boeree, G. (2006). Abraham Maslow. Retrieved June 10, 2007, from Personality Theories: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html
• Boeree, G. (2006). B. F. Sinner. Retrieved June 10, 2007, from Personality Theories: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/skinner.html

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