Views on development

• Psychodynamic approach


  In terms of child development, the psychodynamic approach offers the most coherent theory of development, tying its concepts and processes to specific (psychosexual) stages that are determined by age. That said, Freud saw very little further development once a child enters the genital stage in the teen years.
• Cognitive approach


  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.
• Biological approach


  Maturation is an important principle within the biological approach whereby genetically determined changes in a child's psychological status influence psychological and behavioural characteristics.
• Humanistic approach


  Humanistic psychologists see the development of the self as ongoing throughout life. However, childhood is a particularly important period and a child's relationship with their parents is important in terms of unconditional positive regard.
• Behaviourist approach and social learning theory


  The 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.