Theories describe and explain what happens during development. Theories also offer a way of trying to predict behavior. Often theories can be used to understand the people with whom we are closest. For example, Erikson’s 8 Stages might help you understand why your teenage son cares more about his friend’s opinion than your perspective.
For this discussion, think about different development theories and select one:
- Piaget’s 4 Stages of Cognitive Development
- Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
- Behaviorism
- Social Learning Theory
- Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
- Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Initial Post
In your initial posting:
- State the specific theory you have chosen by its proper name.
- Provide an example from your life.
- Explain how an aspect or concept from the theory helps you understand the provided example.
Response Post
Reply to one peer who has an example that helps your understanding of a theory. Give an example of how their post helped you understand the theory.
I would like to discuss Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory.
Example from my life: When I was in high school, I had a close friend who struggled with math. Despite her efforts to improve, she continued to struggle and became more and more discouraged.
Explanation: Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory emphasizes the role of social interactions and cultural factors in cognitive development. According to Vygotsky, learning is facilitated through social interaction with more knowledgeable individuals, and through exposure to cultural tools such as language and other forms of symbolic communication.
In the example above, my friend’s struggle with math could be understood through the lens of Vygotsky’s theory. Perhaps she lacked opportunities for social interaction with more knowledgeable peers or teachers who could have helped her overcome her difficulties. Additionally, cultural factors such as the way math is taught or valued in our society may have played a role in her struggle.
Response post: I would like to respond to the post by the user who discussed Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development. Their example of a teenage son caring more about his friend’s opinion than their perspective is a great example of how this theory can help us understand development. This example helps me understand that during adolescence, the peer group becomes increasingly important as teenagers seek to establish their identity and sense of self. Erikson’s theory emphasizes the importance of developing a sense of identity and social role during adolescence, and the example provided by the user helps illustrate the challenges and opportunities that arise during this stage of development.