Explain the major theoretical approach to infantchild development & Essay

Explain the major theoretical approach to infantchild development & Analyse the psychosexual stage theory of infantchild development - Essay Example F Skinner. The theory believes that behavioural development happens through classical and operant conditioning and stresses the role of nurture. There is a strong relation between stimuli and behavioural response. In this case development is seen as a continuous process where learnt responses keep accumulating and new ones increase with age. Several studies were conducted to reinforce the theory that responses in behaviour are a result of external stimuli and that the external factors are more important as compared to internal factors. To take an example, John Watson experimented with an infant's responses to a rat and stimuli coupled with it. The infant was not afraid of the rat. However, he developed fear of the rat after a series of sharp sounds were made whenever the rat was shown. Behaviourists conclude that environment is more influential in shaping behaviour. Also, behaviours can be modified using external stimuli (Berk, 1996). Watson's theory of behaviourism brought about interest of many psychologists and birth of related theories like Clark Hull's drive reduction theory and Skinner's operant conditioning theory. Following these also emerged the social learning theories, which had a strong influence in child development research during 1950s. These theorists believed that role modelling and observational learning strongly influence social development and behaviour. One of the most powerful theories was developed by Albert Bandura. He and his colleagues stressed the role of selective imitation which affects their learning. He added the role of children's thought process to the original theory of behaviour which stressed only on stimuli and response (Berk, 1996).. Despite their limitations, the behaviourism and social learning theories had a significant impact on applied work with children. Based on these, techniques have been developed to socialize children into appropriate behaviours and get rid of inappropriate behaviours (Berk, 1996). Psychodynamic Theory In context of psychodynamic theories, famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and his theory of psychoanalysis come to mind. Psychodynamics refers to theories of Freud, his followers' or theories based on his ideas. Anna Freud, Alfred Adler Carl Jung and Erik Erickson are some of the most popular contributors from the field of psychodynamics. The theories are have been derived from sessions with patients, case studies and use of projective techniques to understand the workings of human mind. Psychodynamics strives to make connections between thoughts, motives, subconscious mind and how people perceive the world. The prime focus in psychodynamics is the interrelation between emotional states of id, ego, and superego and their impact on early developments and processes. Psychodynamics also believes that early experiences are conserved in the unconscious mind. Later in life, these conserved experiences, thoughts and emotions either remain buried in the unconscious or find way to the consciou s mind. These buried experiences are at times the cause of mental disturbances. Various psychodynamic