Developmental theories

Developmental theories

Introduction

Developmental theories profoundly impact the way we understand Childs behavior in a special education setting. Although these theories may appear to be different, they tend to have several similarities. In a special learning context, these theories help teachers in understanding how the children have advanced based on the several phases they occur. By using such approaches, the parents will get an idea of what their children are likely to experience during the stages of their life. The key concepts in each developmental theory will be discussed. Additionally, we will explain how these theories help in the emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children. Importantly having mastery of one’s childhood development can help both parents and teachers to guide the kids in reaching their full potential in every phase in lifetime. This research focuses on comparing and contrasting two developmental theories namely social learning and psychoanalytic theories. Moreover, I will highlight the theorists who most are known for these approaches. Finally, there will be a contrasting and discussion on how both approaches influence teaching in special education environment.

Social learning theory by Albert Bandura

This American psychologist had an observation. He termed as reciprocal determinism that is ,the environment can act upon the child, a child can act upon the environment . For instance, if pupils act out of school, due to some reasons like not liking the institution, they can make their tutors have challenges, in turn, this would force the school system make changes. Contrary the other theories feel that the environment can act upon the child thus being influencing the child towards development (Bandura,2018).

Observational learning is an essential concept in social learning theory. It means that a child might learn from observing and imitating those they interact with, for instance, teacher parents or individuals they admire. Children watch and model their behavior based on what they learned from the environment. Social learning theory shows that imitating models is very crucial aspects in the way a child learn, develop moral senses, and learn to behave appropriately. As a teacher one should be very keen while dealing with aggression since the children will imitate the same. We, therefore, need to be a perfect example for our children. Teachers and parents play a significant role in creating a set moral for their children. Children have self -efficacy which enables them to set goals as well as solving their problems and understand the outcomes of their specific choice (Bandura, 2018). Based on the children feedback they set standards to judge their activities as well as being much keen while selecting those exemplifying their specified standards.

As described above we can conclude that Albert’s main concepts in his social learning theory are that, individuals are capable of learning from each other. Through observing, modeling and imitation of what is happening in the environment. This theory also involves the need for attention towards motivation and memory (Bandura,2018). This approach is most likely to give teachers and parents mandate in modeling the kids towards the  right direction.

Psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud

Freud states that unconscious desires and experiences can influence behavior during one’s childhood. His work was broken down into several psychosexual stages. Aiming to assist in the development and lifelong influence it might cause to Childs behavior and personality. According to this theory, one’s character is made up of, the ego, the id, and the superego. According to Freud, the id develops during infancy (Cherry, 2016). The id governs the newborns, and it seeks immediate gratification though there is pleasure principle. It can be associated with one’s needs and wants. The newborns only aim at getting their needs and wants satisfied without thinking about the consequences. A child cries to notify their parents on their needs and wants. They have no other business rather than having their needs met. Upon seeing something they are interested in infants to take it, they don’t imagine of the fallout.

The ego refers to the rational part of an individual’s mind. A person ego would like to make a decision based on an opinion that could make superego and the id satisfied. One’s ego makes a sensible choice as well as helping in offsetting pleasures principle in a better way to the environment. The ego develops during the first year during one’s life. On the other hand at the age of 6 years, a person may establish a superego. Superego is composed of conscience in the children values system. Upon making the wrong decision, the consequence is a feeling of being remorse and guilt. This is the superego; it balances both id and ego. Superego can enable children to be able to think when they face the consequences in their activities.

Freud theory shows that personality develops from unconscious conflicts inborn. The civilized life and the id requirements, they appear in five psychosexual development stages. This development happens the moment pleasure move from one body part to another. In every step, there is a stage in one’s progress. Freud theory helps us to learn the benefit of having unconscious thoughts, motivations, and feelings. Childhood experience plays a role in the formation of one’s personality (Cherry, 2016). In the unique education teaching context, there is children’s ego, and superego guides them towards understanding the instruction given by their teachers.

All theories play fundamental roles in the development of children. Social learning forms the foundation in education and imitating others. They usually learn cognitive and social skills through apprenticeship. On the contrary, the bandura theory felt that the Environment could sometimes affect the child. Psychoanalytic theory is based on personality. In a special learning context, these theories can be very helpful to kids. The concepts of discussed could profoundly influence both teachers and students in every theorist (Bandura, 2018 ).

In learning perception student’s id, ego and superego enable them to control their impulses. This will also help students in understanding the outcome of their actions .unlike Albert theory Freud idea is that personality is developed during ones early childhood only (Harris et al,2016). Albert believes it is produced from what is learned from the child’s environment, from the individual they interact within daily routine. The insights we develop from both theories discussed above is different .it can be observed that we develop socially, mentally and physically in the environment we grow in. There is a full understanding on how every theory discussed above play a role in people development, through comparing and contrasting the two approaches we can see how the human brain works and how people help their children to reach their potential in life (Cherry, 2016).

Generally after comparing and contrasting Albert’s and Freud theory, it can be concluded that these development theories can be applied in a particular learning context. The approaches enable teachers to identify and understand children emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Having mastered the child’s development makes the teachers aware of the children’s behavior and personality. This gives the teacher and parent’s better understanding in the kids toward reaching their full potential in every stage of their lifetime.

References

Bandura, A. (2018). Albert Bandura and Social Learning Theory. Learning Theories for Early Years Practice, 63.

Cherry, K. (2016). The Id, Ego and Superego: The Structural Model of Personality. About. com.

Harris, K., Morgan, K., & Thomas, G. (2016). Albert Bandura: Observational learning in coaching. In Learning in Sports Coaching (pp. 38-50). Routledge.

Freud’s theory and Albert bandura theory http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~rakison/POCDclass15_2006.htm