Child development theories: Freud, Erikson, Pavlov, Skinner, Piaget, and Vygotsky

¶ … Theories

A major challenge that all psychologists will encounter are what factors will influence the development of children. To fully understand these different ideas requires examining the theories from: Freud, Erickson, Pavolv, Skinner, Piaget and Vygotsky. This will offer specific insights as to what factors will influence the way a child's personality develops.

In child development, there is a continuous conflict occurring among mental health professionals. The reason why, is because various theories have been developed to help explain the numerous challenges a child will go through at different stages in their lives. To fully understand these ideas requires care examining the views of: Freud, Erickson, Pavolv, Skinner, Piaget and Vygotsky. Together, these elements will provide the greatest insights as to how psychologists are addressing child development issues.

Freud

Freud believed that by the age of five years old is when all children have fully developed their personality. As they become older is when there will be a conflict that will occur with them between: the id and libido. The id is seeking out different kinds of pleasure to satisfy the immediate and long-term urges of the individual. While the libido, is a driving sexual force behind all behaviors. The conflict that exists is the tension between gaining pleasure and addressing the different sexual / intimacy needs. At any point, if the child feels that these needs are not being addressed is when they will stay in a particular stage (until these issues are dealt with). For example, if a child did not receive as much attention from their mother. They will often engage in activities to draw attention to themselves (such as: exhibitionism, drugs or alcohol). Once these issues are addressed, is when the mind will have a sense of fulfillment and will move onto another stage. This process will continue throughout the entire life of the individual based on these experiences. (Cherry, 2011)

Pavlov

Pavlov believed that child development will take place when the person has been conditioned based on certain rewards and punishments. This will influence how the child will react to the world around them (because of the feedback that they are receiving). For example, if a child learns that talking back to their parents is bad (from the negative stimuli they received). They will avoid this kind of behavior in the future and will move towards actions that can provide them with some kind of reward. Throughout the course of the child's life, is when these views will influence how they will react to a host of situations. ("Classical Conditioning," 2010)

Skinner

Skinner took the ideas of Pavlov and expanded upon them. Under his theory, positive rewards can be used to influence the actions of the child in a constructive way. While negative rewards will decrease the chances that the child will engage in undesirable behaviors. The use of rewards and punishments will shape how the child reacts towards the world around them. Over the course of time, this can be used to sway their thinking in a certain direction. ("Child Development Theories," 2012)

Piaget

Piaget believed that child development will occur unevenly at different stages in their life. This is because each child will mature intellectually at certain stages to learn new ideas. When they are entering these stages is the point that new concepts will be introduced to help them grow. These include: from birth to two years old, two to seven years, seven to eleven and up. If these stages are used at the right time, is when adults will be most effective in influencing the thought patterns of the child. ("Piaget," 2012)

Vygotsky

Vygotsky believed that child development will occur based on social interactions that occur with others. This means that those children who are allowed to interact with people at an early age will have select views about the world around them. During the course of development, is when the ideas that they learn during this process will shape who they become as a person. For example, a child that learns to communicate and socialize with others will have a different view about life. This will influence their social relationships and how they react to various stimuli. While the child that is isolated will often see the world as cold and distant. This will impact their development and social skills. As a result, the kinds of experiences that child has with others will have an influence in shaping their personality. (McLeod, 2007)