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Behavior Development Three Developmental Theories That Provide

Last reviewed: December 16, 2013 ~5 min read

Abstract

Developmental theories that counteract one another are as contrasting as they are plentiful. Three theories are examined herein with the intent of discovering which of the three would be the most interesting and worthwhile for the researcher. All three offer intriguing opportunities for research and dissection. Comparing and contrasting the three provides insight that can help in deciding which one would be the best choice for this particular paper.

Behavior Development

Three developmental theories that provide interesting research for those seeking knowledge concerning this particular field of study include the theory of nature vs. nurture, continuous vs. discontinuous development and critical and sensitive periods of development during those periods in life when either critical or sensitive development is taking place. Comparing and contrasting these three developmental theories should lead the researcher to a better understanding of not only the three theories, but a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the field as well.

For instance, a recent study determined that "genetic and environmental factors provides a potential explanation of the individual differences in responses to environmental influences" (Wermter, Laucht, Schimmelmann, Banaschweski, Sonuga-Barke, Rietschel, Becker, 2010, p. 200). Additionally, the study determined that children exposed to an environment stressor known to increase risk for a certain psychiatric disorder (e.g. high family adversity) are at a higher risk for that disorder if they carry particular gene variants which renders them more susceptible to that stressor" (p. 200). This study certainly does not blow a hole in the idea that nature or nurture is more or less stronger than the other, but is does allow for the contemplation that disorders can be affective based upon a combination of nature and nurture.

It is not only in the area of disorders that nature vs. nurture is coming under increased scrutiny, nature vs. nurture is also being biologically challenged in regards to cancer growth. A recent cancer study showed provided an insight "into the molecular mechanisms regulating CSC's and the pivotal role of the tumour microenvironment in these processes" (Korkaya, Wicha, 2010, p. 419)

The continuous vs. discontinuous theory, is one that generates a plethora of debate and one that can be compared and contrasted at a myriad of levels. Some experts espouse the idea that behavior and learning is a continuous process, while others state that the discontinuous theory should prevail; in that each learning process takes place in a certain timeframe and a stage-by-stage process. One study that attempted to learn whether infants could differentiate between letters/numbers based on their environment found "that mappings between quantitative dimensions are not learned during infancy through acting on the environment, but derive from biologically predisposed links between the dimensions of number, spatial extent and time" (de Hevia, Spelke, 2013, p. 7). A finding such as this could help determine whether the continuous or discontinuous theory is more viable. Another study, this one of baby fish, showed that "spontaneous numerical abilities, however, seem to be limited to four units at birth and it is currently unclear whether or not the large number system is absent during the first days of life" (Piffer, Miletto Petrazzini, Agrillo, 2013, p. 1). The conclusion seems to be that there is no conclusion either in humans or in other species concerning whether the learning and behaviors displayed by the youngest members of either society are ingrained within them, or learned through the environment which they find themselves in.

Finally, the discovery of how different experts view the relationship between critical and sensitive periods of development was an interesting one to say the least. The critical periods of development when compared to the sensitive periods of development seem to show another theory that is ambiguous to say the least.

One study purported that "cognitive development has frequently been associated with explanations of critical or sensitive periods" (Richardson, Thomas, 2008, p. 372). Such a discovery can lead the researcher to wonder which of the developmental theories (critical or sensitive) is the most viable.

Annotated Bibliography

De Hevia, M.D. & Spelke, E.S.; (2013) Not all continuous dimensions map equally: Number-brightness mapping in human infants, PLoS ONE, Vol. 8, Issue 11, pp. 1 -- 9

This study assisted the researcher in discovering that even from birth there are plenty of signs of both continuous and discontinuous development. This study conducted four separate experiments to determine whether different environments could influence infants in discerning the differences in brightness and numbers/letters.

Korkaya, H. & Wicha, M.S.; (2010) Cancer stem cells: Nature vs. nurture, Nature Cell Biology, Vol. 12, Issue 5, pp. 419 -- 421

Korkaya and Wicha provide data and documentation concerning how cancer cells are affected not only by the nature that causes such cells, but by the environment that such cells flourish and grow.

Piffer, L.; Miletto Petrazzini, M.E.; Agrillo, C.; (2013) Large number discrimination in newborn fish, PLoS, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp. 1 -- 6

Newborn fish are oftentimes harbingers of similar traits in infants and therefore the finding that newborn fish can discriminate by number even in a brand new environment gives pause to the belief that the environment for newborns makes a difference on the infant's development.

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References

11 sources cited in this paper

Annotated Bibliography
De Hevia, M.D. & Spelke, E.S.; (2013) Not all continuous dimensions map equally: Number-brightness mapping in human infants, PLoS ONE, Vol. 8, Issue 11, pp. 1 – 9
This study assisted the researcher in discovering that even from birth there are plenty of signs of both continuous and discontinuous development. This study conducted four separate experiments to determine whether different environments could influence infants in discerning the differences in brightness and numbers/letters.
Korkaya, H. & Wicha, M.S.; (2010) Cancer stem cells: Nature versus nurture, Nature Cell Biology, Vol. 12, Issue 5, pp. 419 – 421
Korkaya and Wicha provide data and documentation concerning how cancer cells are affected not only by the nature that causes such cells, but by the environment that such cells flourish and grow.
Piffer, L.; Miletto Petrazzini, M.E.; Agrillo, C.; (2013) Large number discrimination in newborn fish, PLoS, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp. 1 – 6
Newborn fish are oftentimes harbingers of similar traits in infants and therefore the finding that newborn fish can discriminate by number even in a brand new environment gives pause to the belief that the environment for newborns makes a difference on the infant’s development.
Richardson, F.M. & Thomas, M.S.C.; (2008) Critical periods and catastrophic interference effects in the development of self-organizing feature maps, Developmental Science, Vol. 11, Issue 3, pp. 371 – 389
This is another study that provides data on both spectrums and seems to come to no strong resolution regarding whether the critical or sensitive theory is more viable than the other.
Wermter, A.K.; Laucht, M.; Schimmelmann, B.G.; Banaschweski, T.; Sonuga-Barke, E.J.S.; Rietschel, M.; Becker, K.; (2010) From nature versus nurture, via nature and nurture, to gene x environment interaction in mental disorders, European Child and Adolescent Pscyhiatry, Vol. 19, Issue 3, pp. 199 - 210
This article assists the researcher in understanding that the field is moving beyond the theory of nature versus nurture and that it is growing into a field that understands that it just might be nature in conjunction with nurture that can be the most positive, or negative (as the case may be) of influences.

Annotated Bibliography
De Hevia, M.D. & Spelke, E.S.; (2013) Not all continuous dimensions map equally: Number-brightness mapping in human infants, PLoS ONE, Vol. 8, Issue 11, pp. 1 – 9
This study assisted the researcher in discovering that even from birth there are plenty of signs of both continuous and discontinuous development. This study conducted four separate experiments to determine whether different environments could influence infants in discerning the differences in brightness and numbers/letters.
Korkaya, H. & Wicha, M.S.; (2010) Cancer stem cells: Nature versus nurture, Nature Cell Biology, Vol. 12, Issue 5, pp. 419 – 421
Korkaya and Wicha provide data and documentation concerning how cancer cells are affected not only by the nature that causes such cells, but by the environment that such cells flourish and grow.
Piffer, L.; Miletto Petrazzini, M.E.; Agrillo, C.; (2013) Large number discrimination in newborn fish, PLoS, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp. 1 – 6
Newborn fish are oftentimes harbingers of similar traits in infants and therefore the finding that newborn fish can discriminate by number even in a brand new environment gives pause to the belief that the environment for newborns makes a difference on the infant’s development.
Richardson, F.M. & Thomas, M.S.C.; (2008) Critical periods and catastrophic interference effects in the development of self-organizing feature maps, Developmental Science, Vol. 11, Issue 3, pp. 371 – 389
This is another study that provides data on both spectrums and seems to come to no strong resolution regarding whether the critical or sensitive theory is more viable than the other.
Wermter, A.K.; Laucht, M.; Schimmelmann, B.G.; Banaschweski, T.; Sonuga-Barke, E.J.S.; Rietschel, M.; Becker, K.; (2010) From nature versus nurture, via nature and nurture, to gene x environment interaction in mental disorders, European Child and Adolescent Pscyhiatry, Vol. 19, Issue 3, pp. 199 - 210
This article assists the researcher in understanding that the field is moving beyond the theory of nature versus nurture and that it is growing into a field that understands that it just might be nature in conjunction with nurture that can be the most positive, or negative (as the case may be) of influences.

Annotated Bibliography
De Hevia, M.D. & Spelke, E.S.; (2013) Not all continuous dimensions map equally: Number-brightness mapping in human infants, PLoS ONE, Vol. 8, Issue 11, pp. 1 – 9
This study assisted the researcher in discovering that even from birth there are plenty of signs of both continuous and discontinuous development. This study conducted four separate experiments to determine whether different environments could influence infants in discerning the differences in brightness and numbers/letters.
Korkaya, H. & Wicha, M.S.; (2010) Cancer stem cells: Nature versus nurture, Nature Cell Biology, Vol. 12, Issue 5, pp. 419 – 421
Korkaya and Wicha provide data and documentation concerning how cancer cells are affected not only by the nature that causes such cells, but by the environment that such cells flourish and grow.
Piffer, L.; Miletto Petrazzini, M.E.; Agrillo, C.; (2013) Large number discrimination in newborn fish, PLoS, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp. 1 – 6
Newborn fish are oftentimes harbingers of similar traits in infants and therefore the finding that newborn fish can discriminate by number even in a brand new environment gives pause to the belief that the environment for newborns makes a difference on the infant’s development.
Richardson, F.M. & Thomas, M.S.C.; (2008) Critical periods and catastrophic interference effects in the development of self-organizing feature maps, Developmental Science, Vol. 11, Issue 3, pp. 371 – 389
This is another study that provides data on both spectrums and seems to come to no strong resolution regarding whether the critical or sensitive theory is more viable than the other.
Wermter, A.K.; Laucht, M.; Schimmelmann, B.G.; Banaschweski, T.; Sonuga-Barke, E.J.S.; Rietschel, M.; Becker, K.; (2010) From nature versus nurture, via nature and nurture, to gene x environment interaction in mental disorders, European Child and Adolescent Pscyhiatry, Vol. 19, Issue 3, pp. 199 - 210
This article assists the researcher in understanding that the field is moving beyond the theory of nature versus nurture and that it is growing into a field that understands that it just might be nature in conjunction with nurture that can be the most positive, or negative (as the case may be) of influences.