This book covers twenty-two theories of development and their implication on education. It also introduces readers
to the theorists behind the theories in a lively and easily accessible manner.
Comparing and contrasting the theories covered, the book focuses on theorists who follow the developmental tradition
of Rousseau - such as Gesell, Piaget, and Montessori - and their belief that we grow largely from our inner promptings
and spontaneous discoveries at different times throughout our lifetimes. In addition, the author looks at theorists
in the environmental/learning tradition.
For anyone interested in the philosophy of child rearing and education, relative to a child's growth and the
growth of our society as a whole.
Table of Contents
Early Theories : Preformationism, Locke, and Rousseau.
Gesell's Maturational Theory.
Ethnological Theories : Darwin, Lorenz and Tinbergen, Bowlby, and Ainsworth.
Montessori's Educational Philosophy.
Werner's Organismic and Comparative Theory.
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory.
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development.
Learning Theory : Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner.
Bandura's Social Learning Theory.
Vygotsky's Social-Historical Theory of Cognitive Development.
Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory.
Erikson and the Eight Stages of Life.
Mahler's Separation/Individuation Theory.
A Case Study in Psychoanalytic Treatment : Bettelheim on Autism.
Schachtel on Childhood Experiences.
Jung's Theory of Adulthood.
Chomsky's Theory of Language Development.
Conclusion : Humanistic Psychology and Developmental Theory.
Epilogue : A Developmental Perspective on the Standards Movement.
