PSYB32H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Empiricism, Urie Bronfenbrenner, Jean Piaget
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->historical context that led us up to discussion of theoretical approaches. Developmental theory: describe explain aspect of our experience. 3 characteristics of a good theory (principles): parsimony. Concise yet able to explain wide range of phenomenon is better than more principles but same number of obstacles: falsifiability. Capable of makine eplicit predictions about future events. Allows you o test the theory; confirm or disconfirm: heuristic value. Does not limit you to only the situation for which it was devised. ->different theoretical approaches to problems: assumptions about human nature. ->purity of crusoes work - children being born good. Tabula rasa - blank slate: nature vs nurture. Shaped by environment and the experiences they undergo as they age. Extremes on either side: environment vs. genetic disposition. Clearly they will interact; less about product nature and nurture. But how do the two combine: activity vs. passivity. Their contribution to own development: continuous and discontinuous. What we see and think is an additive process.
