PWP 1: Theories

lifespan development

The study of the ways in which people grow and change across the life span; includes people's biological, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning

Cohort

a group of people born at around the same time in the same place

Freud: Psychosexual development

a series of stages children pass through in which pleasure focuses on a specific biological function or body part

Critical periods

a specific time during development when a particular event has its greatest consequence

classical conditioning

an individual comes to associate environmental stimuli with physiological responses. ex/ Pavlov and the salivating dogs; fears/emotional associations

Behaviorism

as an answer to psychoanalytic theories, behaviorists argued for the importance of studying human behavior with measurable observables rather than thoughts and emotions. Behaviorists study only observable behavior and believe that all behavior is influenced by the physical and social environment.

operant conditioning

behavior becomes more or less probable depending on its consequences. ex/ rewarded behaviors are more likely to occur; punished behaviors are less likely to occur. Helps explain the learning of skills and habits.

history-graded influences

biological and environmental influences associated with a particular historical moment

age-graded influences

biological and environmental influences that are similar for individuals in a particular age group regardless of when or where they are raised

Continuous change

change happens gradually, and achievements at one level build on those of previous levels

Discontinuous change

change that happens in distinct steps or stages, with each stage bringing about behavior that is believed to be qualitatively different from behavior at earlier stages ex/ Piaget's theory

Nurture

environmental factors- places emphasis of study on environmental influences that affect a person's development

Nature

genetic factors- places emphasis of study on discovering inherited genetic traits and abilities

Freud: What 3 components of personality motivate behavior

id, ego, superego

reciprocal determinism

individuals and the environment interact and influence each other- a complex interplay between the individual's behavior, emotional and cognitive abilities, and the environment

Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Systems Theory

refer to powerpoint

sociocultural-graded influences

the social and cultural factors present at a particular time for a particular individual. Factors can be race, gender, ethnicity, and social class

Sensitive periods

times in development when a person is particularly open to certain kinds of experiences that may not always have a consequence

non-normative life events

traumatic experiences, events, etc. occurring at an unusual point within the lifespan

Social Learning Theory

Bandura. Emphasizes role of internal processes and emotions in development. Argues that the physical and social environment influence an individual's thoughts and feelings, which influence behavior.

Erikson Theory

Erikson's "Eight Stages of Man" describes a series of crises individuals pass through at different ages. The stages begin in infancy and continue through a series of paired outcomes for each age through older adulthood.

3 types of traditions conceptualizing the life course

Hindus, Solon (Ancient Greece), and the Jewish Talmud

Freud theory

Psychodynamic perspective- behavior is motivated by inner forces, memories, and conflicts that are generally beyond people's awareness and control

Observational Learning

people learn from observing and imitating models