People
Considered the “father of developmental psychology,” this man believed children develop in stages and they should think for themselves according to their individual development
Jean-Jaques Rousseau
This theory, proposed by Erik Erikson, supposes that each stage of development poses a different challenge (psychosocial crisis)
Psychosocial Theory
The smallest social system in the Ecological Systems Theory. People’s direct surroundings: immediate family, close friends
Microsystem
The belief, which lasted well into the 18th century, that tiny, fully formed humans are in sperm or egg cells and grow until birth
Preformationism
These scientific studies tested the effects of TV on children by showing them videos of violence against inflatable “Bobo” clown dolls and observing their behavior
Bandura et al. (1963)
This man believed child development is based on genes and called this process maturation
Arnold Gesell
Also called behaviorism, this theory is based on the idea that the mind can’t be objectively studied, so behavior should be studied instead. A main proponent of this theory is B.F. Skinner.
Learning Theory
The largest system in the Ecological Systems Theory. The historical context for everything- based on generations
Chronosystem
This concept was pushed by John Locke and equates a child’s mind with a blank slate
Tabula rasa
This psychological approach studies how people perceive and use information
Information Processing
Heavily criticized, this man believed personality is formed in the first few years of life as children leave their natural, instinctual state and become social creatures
Sigmund Freud
The theory that children learn and develop by watching others
Social Learning Theory
The second largest system in the Ecological Systems Theory. Cultural elements like the global economy and war.
Macrosystem
The concept that people’s environment influences their development and people influence their environment in turn
Reciprocal determinism
This man created four namesake stages of cognitive development and believed that time, rather than training, leads to development
Jean Piaget
Created by Lev Vygotsky, this theory emphasizes the importance of culture in development
Sociocultural Theory
The second smallest system in the Ecological Systems Theory. People’s organizations: school, work, religious groups
Mesosystem
This type of theory focuses on how people’s mental functions change over time
Cognitive Theories
Developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, this theory proposes five social systems that affect people
Ecological Systems Theory
The middle system in the Ecological Systems Theory. The larger community’s values, history, and economy
Exosystem