OCR AS Psychology: Core Studies - Developmental Approach (1)

Assumptions:

• Behaviour is a result of either biological factors (nature) or social factors (nurture)
• Behaviour will either develop continuously (SLT) or in stages (Piaget)

Describe how the developmental approach explains aggression: The developmental approach explains aggression through imitation of role models. We learn behaviour from others, our environment and our experiences. Behaviour is developed through rewards (behaviourism). However it must be reiterated aggression is learned, it isn't innate.

Describe how the developmental approach explains the development of children's thinking: The developmental approach explains the development of children's thinking by looking at the development of children's thinking i.e. cognitive development. This tells us that the ability to conserve develops through stages. It also tells us that children find conservation of volume the most difficult conservation task of all.

Describe how the developmental approach explains the development of personality: The developmental approach explains the development of personality by looking at the development of fears and phobias. Early experiences shape our personality in later life. Children go through stages; based on the psychodynamic approach. It also tells us that development of personality is linked to psycho-sexual stages.