PSYC 2450 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Cultural-Historical Psychology, Critical Period, Ecological Systems Theory
13 Mar 2013
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Theory: set of concepts and propositions that describes, organizes, and explains a set of observations. Falsifiable - capable of making explicit predictions about future events so that the theory can be supported or disconfirmed. Heuristic - they build on existing knowledge. The debate among developmental theorists about the relative important of biological predispositions (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) as determinants of human development. A debate among developmental theorists about whether children are active contributes to their own development or, rather, passive recipients of environmental influence. A debate among theorists about whether developmental changes are quantitative and continuous, or qualitative and discontinuous (ex. stage-like) Quantitative changes are changes in degree or amount. (ex. children learn more and run faster year after year) (continuity theorists) Qualitative changes are changes in form or kind, changes that make the person different in some way that he or she was earlier. (ex. infant that can"t speak to toddler with first word) (discontinuity theorists)
