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Developmental Theory
A systematic statement of principles and generalizations that provides a coherent framework for understanding how and why people change as they grow older (ERIKSON)
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Psychoanalytic Theory
A grand theory, interprets human development in terms of inner drives and motives, many of which are irrational and unconscious. (FREUD)
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Behaviorism
A grand theory, emphasizes the laws and processes by which behavior is learned; also called learning theory (WATSON)
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Conditioning
The learning process that occurs either through the association of two stimuli or through the use of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment
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Classical Conditioning
The process by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful one so that both are responded to in the same way (PAVLOV's dogs)
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Operant Conditioning
The process by which a response is gradually learned through reinforcement or punishment (SKINNER)
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Reinforcement
The process by which a particular action is followed by something desired
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Social Learning Theory
Emphasizes that people often learn new behaviors through observation and imitation of other people
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Modeling
Refers to the process by which we observe other people's behavior and then copy it
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Self-Efficacy
Is the belief that one is effective
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Cognitive Theory
A grand theory, emphasizes that the way people think and understand the world shapes their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
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Cognitive Equilibrium
A state of mental balance, in which a person's thoughts about the world seem not to clash with each other or with his or her experiences (PIAGET)
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Assimilation
The process by which new experiences are reinterpreted to fit into old ideas (PIAGET)
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Accommodation
The process in which old ideas are restructured to incorporate new experiences (PIAGET)
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Information Processing
A perspective that compares human thinking processes to the way a computer analyzes data
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Sociocultural Theory
Seeks to explain development as the result of a dynamic interaction between developing persons and the surrounding social and cultural forces
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Apprenticeship in thinking
The process by which each person develops new competencies by learning from skilled mentors (VYGOTSKY)
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Zone of Proximal Development
The range of skills, knowledge, and concepts the child is close to acquiring but cannot master without help
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Humanism
A theory that stresses the shared basic needs of all people, and the potential of all human for good (MASLOW)
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Selective Adaptation
The process by which humans and other species gradually adjust to their environment.
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Eclectic Perspective
Accept elements from several theories, instead of adhering to only a single perspective
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