The Human Development Theories
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Development Theories
Is Piaget’s theory a universal theory, or is it a narrow-minded theory? Please explain
Piaget’s theory is a narrow-minded theory. Taking a closer look at the traits of a narrow-minded theory, it goes unnoticed that Piaget’s theory portrays all the traits of a narrow-minded. Piaget’s theory unearths that one’s childhood plays a big role in one’s personal development as it deals with the nature of knowledge and how people gradually acquire, construct, and use it on the grounds of recurrent or repeatable processes (Gould, and Howson, 2011). Notably, Yue (2013) contextualizes that Piaget’s theory entails a four-stage development process, which includes; sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and the formal operational stage. However, Piaget’s arguments portrayed the traits of a narrow-minded theory since; the theory’s arguments centered majorly on infants or children rather than universally all learners. Also, going by the theory’s main goal, which was basically to explain the processes and mechanisms by which a child develops, illustrates that the theory was not universal. In addition, the theory brings forward discrete stages of child development that are based on qualitative differences as opposed to a gradual increase in various aspects such as ideas, concepts as well as number and complexity of behaviors. In as much as Piaget’s theory received the greatest attention as many parents have been asked to provide a supportive environment for their children’s growth, the theory, in general, is narrow-minded.
Has Freud nailed human nature and human development? Is so why? If not, why?
Yes, Freud nailed human nature and human development. Freud explains how human personality develops in early childhood. Desai (2014) explains that Freud’s theory underscores how early childhood is the most important stage in as far as human nature or human development is concerned. This has actually resonated well with what most people globally think or perceive. Moreover, Freud further argues that it is during the early stages of a person that his personality develops, and this influences his behavior in later years, which is a true fact since, in a real-life situation, most of the people’s personalities are developed at a tender age. Through this, therefore, I believe that Freud nailed human nature and human development.
What strengths and weaknesses do you see in the theories human development theories presented in this module?
One of the strengths of human development theories is that it provides a wider framework from which one can view human development broadly throughout the entire lifespan. Secondly, most theories, for example, the Freud theory, emphasizes more on human nature and the social effects that a child’s personality has on a person in the later years. This definitely passes an important message on the need to instill or encourage good personalities among children at a tender age. On the other hand, these theories also have weaknesses. First is that most of the human development theories lack scientific control. Also, most human development theories say, for example, Piaget’s and Freud’s theory does not carry out their studies across the entire lifespan of a child, and therefore the study seems to center much on child development rather than the entire development, and therefore they cannot be relied on.
When working with families and children, which theory will you use, and why?
I will use Piaget’s theory of cognitive development because it explains the importance of providing a rich, supportive environment that promotes a child’s natural propensity to grow, develop, and learn.
References
Gould, M., & Howson, A. (2011). Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. TE o. S. Press (Ed.), Sociology reference guide: The process of socialization, 29-38.
Yue, C. (December 20, 2013) Piaget’s stages of cognitive development | Processing the Environment | MCAT | Khan Academy. Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3-PIC2nCs
Desai, S. (February 25, 2014). Freud’s psychosexual development | Individuals and Society | MCAT | Khan Academy. Youtube. Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG7yosFQHP4