Content area
Full Text
Selected Theories of Human Development Abstract
This paper discusses, compares, and contrasts the human development theories of Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Carol Gilligan. Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalytic Theories are presented, where human psychological development is based on innate and biological influences in staged movements. Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Personality Development Theory is presented, where human psychological development is based on innate and social influences in staged movements. Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development builds off of Erikson's theory, and attempts to explain cognitive development through assimilation and accommodation of social influences. Lawrence Kohlberg's Six-Stage Theory of Moral Development, like Piaget, builds off of Erikson's theory, and attempts to explain human moral development through the influences of internal needs and social requirements. And, Carol Gilligan's Care Model suggests that female moral development is different than male moral development, and that females gravitate towards mediation rather than justice.
This paper also presents a synthesis, which is a blend of the most probable components associated with the five theorists' ideologies. Human personality and character development is influenced by social pressures and biological instincts as Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg suggested. Even though these social influences play a significant part in personality development, Freud appears correct in that there will always be innate behaviors that people are born with. Also, Freud seems correct in that sexual instincts and physical limitations can and do result in influencing how a person's personality is developed.
Carol Gilligan's theory presents some compelling arguments against the male dominated observations and tests by Freud, Erikson and Kohlberg in that women may develop differently when it comes to morals. However, there is concern over the validity her research, and because of this, her findings are not utilized in Sections One and Two.
Abstract for Section One
This paper examines how emotions effect learning. A discussion is presented that first addresses this important topic from a biological perspective, a behavioral and humanistic perspective, and an educational perspective. From a biological perspective, this paper addresses the components and pathways of the brain, the concept of neural hijacking, memory, the interaction between the rational and emotional minds, and it examines emotions and brain functioning. This paper also addresses negative emotions and learning,...