Chapter 2:
Issues on Human Development
Introduction:
Each of us has his/her own way of looking at our own and other
people’s development. These paradigms of human development
while obviously lacking in scholastic vigor, provide us with a
conceptual framework for understanding ourselves and others.
Scholars have come up with their own models of human
development. Back up by solid research, they take stand on
issues on human .development
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
THREE ISSUES IN DEVELOPMENT
• Nature versus Nurture
• Continuity versus Discontinuity
• Stability versus Change
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Nature
versus
Nurture
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The degree to which human behavior is
determined by genetics/biology (nature)
or learned through interacting with the
environment (nurture)
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
• Behavior is caused by innate characteristics :The
physiological/biological characteristics we are born with.
• Behavior is therefore determined by biology.
• Also a Determinist view- suggests all behavior is determined
by hereditary factors: Inherited characteristics, or genetic
make-up we are born with.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
• All possible behaviors are said to be present from
conception. It is supported by Plato and Descartes(in born)
• Genes provide the blueprint for all behaviors; some present
from birth, others pre-programmed to emerge with age.
• Is a developmental approach:E.g. Piaget: children’s thought
processes change at predetermined age-related stages
changes in age are related to changes in behavior.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
• An individuals behavior is determined by the environmentthe things people teach them, the things they observe, and
because of the different situations they are in.
• Also a determinist view- proposes all human behavior is the
result of interactions with the environment.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
•
•
•
•
Behaviorist theories are nurture theories:
Behavior is shaped by interactions with the
environment.
Born an empty vessel- waiting to be filled up by experiences
gained from environmental interaction.
• No limit to what they can achieve:
• Depends on quality of external influences and NOT genes.
Nature Nurture Interaction
• Behavior is often a result of the interaction between nature AND
nurture.
• An individuals characteristics may elicit particular responses in
other people e.g. Temprament: how active, responsive or
emotional an infant is influences in part determines their
caregivers responses.
• Gender: people tend to react differently to boys and girls due to
expectations of masculine and feminine characteristics.
• Aggression: Displaying aggressive behavior create particular
responses from other people.
Theories of development
Psychoanalytical theories
These are the theories influenced by Sigmund Freud
who believed int he importance of the unconsciouys mind
and childhood experiences. He proposed that development
occurs in a series of psychosexual stages
Psychoanalytic theory suggested that personality is
mostly established by the age of five. Early experiences
play a large role in personality development and continue
to influence behavior later in life.
Theories of development
Psychosexual theory
Proponent is Sigmund Freud.Freud proposed
that personality development in childhood takes
place during five psychosexual stages, which are the
oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages.This is
based on the idea that
parents play a
crucial role in managing their children's sexual
Theories of development
Psychosocial development theory
The proponent is Erik Erikson who expanded upon
Freud’s idea. His theory focused o conflicts that arise at
different stages of development. But unlike Freud’s, he
described development throughout the lifespan.
Theories of development
Psychosocial development theory