PIAGET'S DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY: AN OVERVIEW
Jean Piaget is generally recognized as the preeminent developmental psychologist of the
twentieth century. His work investigating the growth of intelligence from infancy through
adolescence is basic to an understanding of child and cognitive psychology. Because he
opened new fields of inquiry, Piaget had to create a new vocabulary for his discoveries; his
concepts are not easily understood from reading about them. In this film Piaget’s student, Dr.
David Elkind, introduces the research methods and terminology of Piaget’s theories with
demonstrations and apt real-life examples enabling students to more easily understand the
concepts involved. Archival materials also document the course of Piaget’s life. (1989 25
minutes) (This is a 4-minute sample) This film is part of the acclaimed Davidson Films, Inc.
GIANTS series, which also includes films on the work and lives of Mary Ainsworth, Albert
Bandura, John Dewey, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, B.F. Skinner and Lev Vygotsky.
VYGOTSKY'S DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION
The work of Lev Vygotsky is increasingly cited as we reconsider the theory and practice of
constructivist education. This program introduces the life, vocabulary and concepts of Lev
Vygotsky. The film illustrates four basic concepts integral to his work: 1) children construct
knowledge; 2) learning can lead development; 3) development cannot be separated from its
social context; and 4) language plays a central role in cognitive development. Dr. Elena
Bodrova, Russian-trained, brings an easy familiarity to these concepts. Dr. Deborah Leong’s
commentary and the lively classroom examples enable students, teachers in training, and
classroom teachers to incorporate these concepts into their understanding of child development.
(1994) 28 minutes. (This is a 4-minute clip from the film). This film is part of the acclaimed
Davidson Films, Inc. GIANTS series, which also includes films on the work and lives of Mary
Ainsworth, Albert Bandura, John Dewey, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget and B.F.
Skinner.
BANDURA'S SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION
Albert Bandura is arguably the most eminent living psychologist. His Social Cognitive theory has
influenced many areas of inquiry: education, health sciences, social policy and psychotherapy among
others. This film presents Dr. Bandura and footage from some of his best-known research such as the
BoBo doll experiment, treatment for snake phobias and the use of television dramas to convey positive
social messages. Dr. Bandura is a genial host for the film that also includes much footage from abroad
showing the universality of his concepts including the analysis of personal efficacy and the social roots of
moral behavior. (2003 38 minutes) (This is a 4-minute sample clip from the film) The film is part of the
acclaimed GIANTS OF PSYCHOLOGY series from Davidson Films, Inc. that also introduces college
students to the work and lives of Mary Ainsworth, John Dewey, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, Jean
Piaget, B. F. Skinner and Lev Vygotsky.
B.F. SKINNER: A FRESH APPRAISAL
Other than Freud, no psychologist has been so discussed, critiqued and, at times, maligned as B.F.
Skinner. Using both archival and new footage, this video takes a new look at who the man was, and
what he really said in his twenty books. Like other thinkers who broke new ground, Skinner had to
invent his own vocabulary to describe the phenomena he was studying. In this video, his terms are
introduced in context so the student understands how they were intended to be used and the research
that produced them. The video lays to rest some myths and credits Skinner with contributions not often
attributed to him. Understanding the complex man behind his work enables students to better evaluate
the importance and relevance of the work he inspired. Murray Sidman, Ph.D., colleague and thoughtful
practitioner of behavioral analysis, narrates. (1999 40 minutes) (This is a 4-minute clip from the film).
This film is part of the acclaimed Davidson Films, Inc. GIANTS series, which also includes films on the
work and lives of Mary Ainsworth, Albert Bandura, John Dewey, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, Jean
Piaget and Lev Vygotsky.
JOHN DEWEY: HIS LIFE AND WORK
John Dewey wrote extensively about philosophy, psychology, education, political science, and the arts.
He wrote about the breadth of life, participated in it as a teacher, social critic, political activist and
involved family man. This film introduces students to his philosophy and his critical studies of education,
the arts and the implications of democracy for the lives of individuals and their communities. Dewey
lived in a different era of history than we do, but many of his concerns are very relevant to life today.
Maintaining a democracy in the face of diverse ethnic values, educating the young to participate fully in
the life of their community, and expanding individual perceptions through participation in the arts were
among the issues he examined. Contemporary examples of the influence of his work include footage of
noted educator Deborah Meier's Mission Hill School in Roxbury, Massachusetts; commentary by
literature authority Louise Rosenblatt on Dewey's theories of democratic behavior and philosopher Larry
Hickman's comments on the ways technology changes our experiencing of the world. 2004. 40 minutes.
(This is a 4-minute sample clip). This film is part of the series called GIANTS, which includes
documentaries on Mary Ainsworth, Albert Bandura, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, B.F.
Skinner and Lev Vygotsky.
ERIK H. ERIKSON: A LIFE'S WORK
Using archival materials and newly shot footage, this film introduces students to the rich wisdom of Erik
H. Erikson. Best known for his identification of the eight stages of the life cycle, Erikson spent a lifetime
observing and studying the way in which the interplay of genetics, cultural influences and unique
experiences produces individual human lives. This film combines biographical information about Erikson
with his theoretical proposals to give students an understanding of the relationship between the life
experience of a theorist and the work that is produced. The film is narrated by Erikson's colleague,
Margaret Brenman-Gibson, Ph.D., and Ruthie Mickles, Ph.D. (1991, 38 minutes) (This is a 4-minute
sample) This film is part of the acclaimed GIANTS series, which focuses on the great theorists in the
realms of psychology and education.
MARIA MONTESSORI: HER LIFE AND LEGACY
A century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori founded an educational movement that has been remarkably
consistent despite time and location. This film presents the intertwined history of Dr. Montessori’s life,
her philosophy and the basic principles of educational practice still followed in schools that bear her
name. Using enchanting sequences from three schools with pupils ranging in age from two to sixteen,
this production informs viewers of the basic structure of Montessori education and provides them with
an understanding of the unique materials and instructional methods of Montessori schools. The film also
documents Dr. Montessori’s long and dramatic life with rare archival photos. Dr. Annette Haines, an
experienced Montessori classroom teacher and teacher educator, narrates. (35 minutes - 2004) (This is a
4-minute sample clip) This film is part of a Davidson Film series, “GIANTS”, which focuses on the great
theorists in the realms of psychology and education.