Comparison of approaches:

• Views on development


  Psychodynamic approach presents the most coherent theory of development, tying its concepts and processes to specific (psychosexual) stages that are determined by age

  • Freud saw very little further development once a child enters the genital stage in the teen years

  Stage theories within the cognitive approach have contributed to our understanding of child development. For example, as part of their intellectual development, children form increasingly complex concepts (schema) as they get older.
• Views on development


  Maturation is important principle within biological approach whereby genetically determined changes in a child's physiological status influence psychological and behavioural characteristics

  Humanistic psychologists see the development of the self as ongoing throughout life

  BUT childhood is a important period and a child's relationship with their parents is important in terms of unconditional positive regard
• Views on development:

  Finally behaviourist approach and social learning theory do not offer coherent stage theories of development but instead see the processes that underpin learning as continuous occurring at any age
• Nature versus nurture


  The debate about whether human behaviour is more influenced by inherited biological factors or by the environment and experience has a long history in psychology

  • The biological approach and the two learning approaches are furthest apart in this respect
  • Behaviourists characterised babies as 'blank slates' at birth and suggest that all behaviour comes about through learned associations or in social learning theory observation and imitation
• Nature vs nurture


  • In contrast, the biological approach argues from a position that behaviour is the result of a genetic blueprint that we inherit from our parents though the way it is expressed is influenced by the environment
  • Freud thought that much of our behaviour was driven by biological drives and instincts, but he also saw relationships with parents as playing a fundamental role in future development
• Nature vs nurture:


  • Similarly, humanistic psychologists regard parents as having a critical impact on the person's self-concept.
  • Finally cognitive psychologists would recognise that many of our information processing abilities and schema are innate they are constantly refined through experience