What is theoretical perspective in psychology?
An approach is a perspective (i.e., view) that involves certain assumptions (i.e., beliefs) about human behavior: the way they function, which aspects of them are worthy of study and what research methods are appropriate for undertaking this study.
How does theory relate to psychology?
In psychology, theories are used to provide a model for understanding human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. A psychological theory has two key components: It must describe a behavior. It must make predictions about future behaviors.
How do you evaluate a psychological theory?
A good first step in evaluating a psychological theory is to find the evidence that supports the theory. You need to be able to describe at least one relevant study and then to explain how that study supports the theory.
What is the main focus of developmental psychology?
Developmental Psychology Studies Humans Across the Lifespan. Developmental psychologists focus on human growth and changes across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional growth.
What are the goals of developmental psychology?
The three goals of developmental psychology are to describe, explain, and to optimize development (Baltes, Reese, & Lipsitt, 1980). To describe development it is necessary to focus both on typical patterns of change (normative development) and individual variations in patterns of change (i.e. idiographic development).
What can we learn from psychological theories of development?
Theories provide a framework for understanding human behavior, thought, and development. By having a broad base of understanding about the how’s and why’s of human behavior, we can better understand ourselves and others. Each theory provides a context for understanding a certain aspect of human behavior.
What are the developmental theories in psychology?
Development is the series of age-related changes that happen over the course of a life span. Several famous psychologists, including Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg, describe development as a series of stages.
What are the five major developmental theories?
These are:Freud’s psychosexual stage theory.Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory.Kohlberg’s moral understanding stage theory.Piaget’s cognitive development stage theory.Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory.
What are the four theories of development?
Four main theories of development: modernization, dependency, world-systems, and globalization.