CHANGING PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT

Alexis C. Cruz, MPA

DPA Student

WHAT ARE PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES?

A psychological theory is a fact-based idea that describes a phenomenon of human behavior. A

theory is based on a hypothesis, which is backed by evidence. A psychological theory has two
key components:

1. It must describe a behavior.

2. It must make predictions about future behaviors.

5 MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES

Some of the most well-known psychological theories are based on the perspectives of different
fields of psychology. Psychological theories are classified into five categories.

1. BEHAVIORAL THEORIES

Behavioral psychology, which is also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning that

is founded on the assumption that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. This principle
forms the foundation of the behavioral psychology and behaviorism schools of thought.

During the first half of the 20th century, behavioral theories were the predominant school of
thought in psychology. Proponents of these theories included notable psychologists such as
John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.

Behavioral approaches are still commonly employed in today's world by therapists in order to
assist their patients in the acquisition of new skills and behaviors.

2. COGNITIVE THEORIES

The cognitive theories of psychology put an emphasis on inward processes including

motivation, problem-solving, decision-making, thinking, and attention. These are all examples of
internal states. These theories attempt to explain various mental processes, such as how the
mind processes information and how the thoughts that we have lead to particular feelings and
behaviors.

3. HUMANISTIC THEORIES

During the 1950s, humanistic psychological ideas began to experience an increase in

popularity. Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow are two examples of prominent humanist theorists
throughout history.

In contrast to older ideas, which frequently placed an emphasis on aberrant conduct and
psychological issues, humanist theories about behavior place an emphasis, rather, on the
inherent morality of human beings.
 4. PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORIES

The theories of psychodynamics investigate the unconscious ideas that are responsible
for forming our feelings, attitudes, and personalities. The goal of psychodynamic techniques is
to gain an understanding of the factors that lie at the base of unconscious behavior.

These ideas are intricately connected to Sigmund Freud and the people who followed in his
footsteps. The psychodynamic approach can be seen in many of Freud's claims, such as that
our adult behaviors have their roots in our childhood experiences and that the personality is
made up of three parts: the ID, the ego, and the superego. Another example of this approach is
that our adult behaviors are influenced by our parents.

5. BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Biological theories of psychology assert that human emotion and behavior may be
traced back to their respective biological origins. For instance, in the discussion about the
influence of nature vs the influence of nurture on human behavior, a biological viewpoint would
support nature.

Charles Darwin, who is recognized for his views regarding the roles that evolution and genetics
play in psychology, is the person whose thoughts serve as the foundation for biological theories.

GRAND THEORIES

Child development theories focus on explaining how children change and grow over the course
of childhood. Such theories center on various aspects of development including social,
emotional, and cognitive growth.

The study of human development is a rich and varied subject. We all have personal experience
with development, but it is sometimes difficult to understand how and why people grow, learn,
and act as they do.

1. FREUD'S PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Freud believed that personality developed through a series of childhood stages in which
the pleasure-seeking energies of the id become focused on certain erogenous areas. An
erogenous zone is characterized as an area of the body that is particularly sensitive to
stimulation. During the five psychosexual stages, which are the oral, anal, phallic, latent,
and genital stages, the erogenous zone associated with each stage serves as a source
of pleasure. (Play video)

2. ERIK ERIKSON'S STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Erik Erikson was an ego psychologist who developed one of the most popular and
influential theories of development. While his theory was impacted by
psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's work, Erikson's theory centered on psychosocial
development rather than psychosexual development. (Play video)
 3. PIAGET'S 4 STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that children move through four
different stages of learning. His theory focuses not only on understanding how children
acquire knowledge, but also on understanding the nature of intelligence. (Play video)

Piaget's stages are:

• Sensorimotor stage: Birth to 2 years

• Preoperational stage: Ages 2 to 7
• Concrete operational stage: Ages 7 to 11
• Formal operational stage: Ages 12 and up

4. KOHLBERG'S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a theory that focuses on how children develop
morality and moral reasoning. Kohlberg's theory suggests that moral development
occurs in a series of six stages. The theory also suggests that moral logic is primarily
focused on seeking and maintaining justice. (Play video)

Kohlberg's stages are:

Level 1. Preconventional Morality
Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment)
Stage 2 (Individualism and Exchange)
Level 2. Conventional Morality
Stage 3 (Developing Good Interpersonal Relationships)
Stage 4 (Maintaining Social Order)
Level 3. Postconventional Morality
Stage 5 (Social Contract and Individual Rights)
Stage 6 (Universal Principles)

MINI THEORIES
Mini-theories describe a small, very particular aspect of development. A mini-theory might
explain relatively narrow behaviors, such as how self-esteem is formed or early childhood
socialization. These theories are often rooted in the ideas established by grand theories, but
they do not seek to describe and explain the whole of human behavior and growth.

EMERGENT THEORIES
Emergent theories are those that have been created relatively recently. They are often formed
by systematically combining various mini-theories. These theories draw on research and ideas
from different disciplines but are not yet as broad or far-reaching as grand theories.
The sociocultural theory proposed by Lev Vygotsky is a good example of an emergent theory of
development.