Theoretical approach

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

An interrelated set of concepts that is used to explain a body of data and to make predictions

Question 2

Psychodynamic theory

Answer 2

Behaviour throughout life is motivated by inner, unconscious forces, stemming from childhood, over which we have little control

-Freud and Erikson

Question 3

Behavioural/Learning approach

Answer 3

Development can be understood by studying observable behaviour and environmental stimuli

• Watson, Skinner, Bandura

Question 4

Cognitive approach

Answer 4

How changes or growth in ways people know, understand and think about the world affect behaviour

-Piaget

Question 5

Contextual/person-orientated perspective

Answer 5

Behaviour is determined by the relationship between individuals and their physical, cognitive, personality and social worlds

-Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner

Question 6

Evolutionary perspective

Answer 6

Result of genetic inheritance.
Survival of the species through natural selection.

-Lorenz, Darwin

Question 7

Learning and motivational theories

Answer 7

• Behaviourism
• Information processing
• Social cognitive

Question 8

Contextual theories

Answer 8

• Vygotsky (social constructivism)

- Bronfenbrenner (bio-ecological systems theory)

Question 9

Contextual theories have to do with…

Answer 9

• the effect of social and cultural contexts on development and learning

Question 10

The three perspectives/groupings of theories

Answer 10

Stage theories (Piaget, Freud, Erikson stages of dev)
Learning theories
Contextual theories