Social learning theory, also known today as social cognitive theory, is a theory proposed by psychologist Albert Bandura that explains how people learn through observation, imitation, and modeling. This model of learning suggests that both environmental and cognitive factors play a critical role in the acquisition of knowledge. In this article, learn more about the …
The nature versus nurture debate focuses on the question of whether genetic or environmental factors matter most in the course of human development. What is it that makes you who you are? Some might say that it is your genes that have the greatest influence in controlling your personality and preferences. Others might say that …
Early childhood development focuses on a persiod of remarkable physical, cognitive, social, and emotional change. Infants enter the world with a limited range of skills and abilities. Watching a child develop new motor, cognitive, language, and social skills is a source of wonder for parents and caregivers. During the early childhood years, such growth and …
Child development theories are focused on understanding and explaining how kids change over the course of childhood. Psychologists and development researchers have proposed several theories to describe and explain the process and stages children go through as they develop. Some of these theories focus on the developmental milestones or specific achievements children reach by a …
All parents have their own approach to child-rearing, but psychologists have also identified distinctive parenting styles that can impact child development. Today, psychologists suggest that there are four major parenting styles: As you might imagine, these parenting styles are marked by distinctive behavior and communication patterns. These parenting styles can play an important role in …
Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development suggests that children progress through a series of stages of mental development. The theory outlines four distinct stages from birth through adolescence, focusing on how children acquire knowledge, reasoning, language, morals, and memory. Piaget’s stages of development are: Stage Age Change Sensorimotor Stage 0-2 Object permanence Preoperational Stage 2-7 …
Developmental psychology is a field that studies how people grow and change throughout the course of their lifespans. Development is about much more than the physical changes that occur over a lifetime. It also involves cognitive, social, and emotional changes at different ages. This article discusses some of the major issues in developmental psychology and …
Learning self-control is an important part of healthy social and emotional development. Obviously, when kids lose their self-control and start throwing a tantrum in the middle of a crowded store or during a family gathering, it can be immensely frustrating for parents. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that parents and caregivers can do to …