Purpose: Understanding the theoretical and empirical origins of developmental psychology helps the student to understand how the discipline has changed over time and why certain key concepts and milestones are the focus of modern developmental theory and treatment.
Choose three of the prominent developmental theories that have had a hand in shaping the discipline of Developmental Psychology from the list below. Using the “Theory Comparison Worksheet,” address some of the major touchstones necessary for a sound Developmental Theory. In the space at the bottom of the worksheet, comment in 2-3 sentences, on which of the three theories you feel most broadly meets the needs of a Lifespan Developmental Theorist.
Choose from the following list of developmental theories:
Freud’s Psychosexual Theory
Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
Behaviorism and Social Learning Theory
Information Processing Theory
Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory
Ethology and Evolutionary Developmental Psychology
Ecological Systems Theory