21
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to
• explain the role of theories in understanding human
development.
• describe how early experiences are important and heavily
couched in emotion as described by psychoanalytical theories.
• identify how psychosocial theory addresses the stages of socio-
emotional development seen in humans from birth to old age.
• describe how learning theories include behaviorism, operant
conditioning, social cognitive theory, cognitive theory, and
social learning.
• summarize historical infl uences on modern theories of human
development.
• assess how environment can infl uence some personality traits, while others are infl uenced
by heredity.
• compare and contrast research methods commonly used to study human development.
Reading
Prep
Review the table of
contents at the begin-
ning of this text. Trace
the development of
the content that is
being presented from
simple to complex
ideas.
Key Terms
classical conditioning
operant conditioning
social cognitive theory
genes
genetics
ethological theory
ecological theory
scientifi c method
hypothesis
descriptive studies
manipulative experiments
longitudinal studies
cross-sectional studies
naturalistic experiments
developmental theories
psychoanalytic theories
psychosocial development stages
cognitive theories
moral decisions
observable behaviors
behaviorism
• build vocabulary with e-flash cards and interactive games;
• assess what you learn by completing self-assessment quizzes; and
• expand knowledge with activities that extend learning.
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