Answer the following questions about the 6 developmental theories (Psychosocial theory, Behaviourism and Social Learning Theories, Ethological theory, Bioecological theory, Life Course theory, and the Cognitive Developmental theories - Piaget, Vygotsky and Information Processing).
Use these prompts to critically compare and contrast each theory.
- Are the theories in stages or are they gradual? (are they continuous or discontinuous?). Which of the theories are continuous and which are discontinuous?.
- Which theories consider the individual, social influences, and/or the psychological processes?
- Which theories propose that the child is a ‘blank slate’? Which assume prior knowledge of some degree?
- Are the children active or passive participants in their learning/development? Identify active or passive for each theory.
- Is timing important in development? Does culture/community make a difference? Identify for each theory, what is the most important in influencing learning and development.
- Which theory proposes nature, which is nurture. Do any propose both nature and nurture?
- For each theory, how much does biological processes influence development?
Use these prompts to critically compare and contrast each theory.