FMST 210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: The Blank Slate, Tabula Rasa, Developmental Psychology
Document Summary
Chapter 1: independent questions: the scientific study of human development, define developmental psychology. The scientific study of age-related changes in our bodies, behaviour, thinking and emotions, social relationships and personalities: philosophical roots. Identify the key ideas and the implied parental responsibilities of: (a) original sin (christianity) All inborn are stubborn and selfish in nature, so parents should correct them (b) the blank slate (john locke) The mind of the child is like a blank slate known as empiricism ( the view that humans posses no innate tendencies and that differences among humans are attributable to experience). Adults can mould their children into whatever they want them to be. (c) innate goodness (jean-jacques rousseau) All humans are naturally good and seek out experiences that help them grow. Children only need nurturing and protection to reach their full potential. Good developmental outcomes happen when when a child"s environment refrains from interfering in her attempts to nurture her own development.
