Theories of Human Development A Comparative Approach [Paperback]

The authors have grouped the theories into three classical families which differ in their views relative to the prime motives underlying human nature. They show how theories are specific examples of more general points of view called paradigms. The theories chosen to represent the three paradigms (the Endogenous Paradigm, Exogenous Paradigm, and the Constructivist Paradigm) were selected because they met four criteria:

• importance, as judged by academic and research psychologists
• fertility, as judged by the amount of research the theory has generated
• scope, as judged by the variety of phenomena the various theories explain
• family resemblance, as judged by how well each theory represents its paradigm

The authors present the paradigm case in the lead chapter for each paradigm.  This paradigm case is the best example for the paradigm. The authors explain why paradigm cases are important, and give them more detailed treatment than other theories in the same paradigm.

Part 1: Preliminary Considerations1. Theories as Windows for Looking to See  2. Evaluating Developmental Theories  Part 2: The Endogenous Paradigm  3. Freud and Psychoanalysis  4. Erikson and Psychosocial Theory  5. Wilson and Sociobiology  6. Ainsworth and Infant Attachment  Part 3: The Exogenous Paradigm  7. Skinner and Operant Conditioning  8. Bandura and Social Cognitive Theory  9. Vygotsky and Cultural-historical Theory  Part 4: The Constructivist Paradigm  10. Piaget and Cognitivedevelopmental Theory  11. Kohlberg and Moral Development  12. The Neo-Piagetlƒe