ADULT DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY

Adult Developmental Theory

Adult Developmental Theory

Schaie's Theory of Adult development

According to this theory, people are machines whose response to external forces results in development (Schaie, 1993). This approach argues that past behavior predicts future behavior and that the minds of people like the machine did not build the knowledge, but also absorbs existing knowledge (Schaie, 1993). Development therefore can be measured quantitatively. Behaviorism is an example of the mechanistic approach. It is a science concerned with the prediction and control of human behavior (Riley, 1999).

People learn behaviors, responding to stimuli and to receive positive or negative reinforcement or punishment. Positive reinforcement increases the probability that the preceding behavior will be repeated. For example, if a child receives praise (an example of positive reinforcement) to help her sister, is likely to repeat. By contrast, negative reinforcement occurs when a desired effect on the removal of an unpleasant stimulus. When a woman belt buckles to disable the seatbelt alarm, get reinforcement negative. Punishment is a third type of reinforcement. Rather than before the response as in the case of negative reinforcement, it is clear from the response and reduces the possibility that the behavior is repeated. Regan is an example of punishment.

Watson (1930), the dad of behaviorism, believed that persons were "assembled organic appliance prepared to run" (p. 269) and that their personalities were a assemblage of complex patterns. For example, said that people develop a habit, most developed during the teenage years and establish 30 years. Watson said: "A neighbor gossip, spying, enjoying the disaster [person] of 30 shall, unless a miracle happens, the same at 40 and remains the same at 60" (p. 278). Instructors who are in favor of behavioral / mechanistic approach to provide students with plenty of opportunities for exercise and practice. Use of praise, grades, or some small prizes for their efforts positively reinforces students. Students discover the befitting answer through reinforcement. Programmed learning is a teaching method used by teachers who support the behavioral / mechanistic approach to development. This technique of instruction, which was especially popular in the 1960 and 1970, remains popular in the computer age (Hatch, 2000).

The developmental phases of Erik Erikson

Our character traits come in opposites. We believe of us as hopeful or pessimistic, unaligned or reliant, emotional or unemotional, adventurous or careful, foremost or follower, hard-hitting or passive. Many of these are inborn temperament traits, but other characteristics, such as feeling either competent or inferior, appear to be learned, based on the challenges and the growing support we receive.

The man who did much to explore this concept is Erik Erikson. Although he was influenced by Freud, who believed that the self exists at birth and that behavior is not totally defensive. Based in part on his study of Sioux Indians from the reservation, Erikson became aware of the massive influence of culture on behavior and a greater emphasis on the outside world, such as depression and war. He felt the course of development is determined ...