Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss, in your own words, why theories of development is important.
     
  2. Give an example of how a theory may be used to predict behavior.
     
  3. Why do you think theories cannot be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt?
     
  4. Provide an example of a qualitative change and an example of a qualitative change.
     
  5. Give an example of behavior that is influenced by the id, behavior that is influenced by the ego, and behavior that is influenced by the superego.
     
  6. Give an example of child behavior during each stage of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of development.
     
  7. According to Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of development, in what stage are you? Do you believe you are facing the challenge described by Erikson? Why or Why not?
     
  8. Provide an example of how a child learns using classical conditioning.
     
  9. When would one use a Functional Behavioral Analysis?
     
  10. How do the theories of Bandura, Erikson, and Freud differ?
     
  11. What is constructivism?
     
  12. Compare and contrast Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories.  Which theory do you believe more likely explains child cognitive development?
     
  13. Provide an example of a child using the Information Processing Theory.
     
  14. Provide an example of how Evolution Theories explain child behavior.
     
  15. Give an example of how a child is influenced at each level of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory.
     
  16. How does the Dynamic Systems Theory explain development?
     
  17. Which theory do you believe best explains development? Why?