Child Development Grand Theories

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Maturational Theory

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Arnold Gesell believed that physical and intellectual development was determined by heredity and biological maturation. His theory established many of the age norms and ideas about 'readiness.'

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Psychoanalytic Theory

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Sigmund Freud believed personality (and mental health) was determined by how children coped with their physical drives. He examined how children regulate their desires and take on social norms. His theory was used primarily by psychiatrists.

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Psychosocial Theory

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Erik Erikson was concerned about conflicts that occur between a child’s needs and social demands. He believed that people who can cope with each conflict develop a healthy personality and vice versa. His theory is used in preventing and treating mental health problems.

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Learning Theory

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Theorists like B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura focused on how environments affect observable behaviors, not internal changes. They studied how behaviors can be reinforced or extinguished. Learning theories are mainly used in behavior modification or intervention methods for children with learning or behavioral problems.

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Cognitive-developmental Theory

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Jean Piaget believed children think differently at different ages and constructed their knowledge through experiences. His theory changed child development and has been applied to many aspects of education by his students.

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Sociocultural Theory

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Lev Vygotsky disagreed with Piaget, believing that some knowledge was a personal construction, but much was a social construction taught by one's culture. His idea of mentoring or tutoring learning is used in many schools today.

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Ecological Systems Theory

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Urie Bronfenbrenner noted that children’s development is influenced by both heredity and their environment, as well as their indirect environment. He believed that children affect their environment, and his theory has made people more aware of how many contexts affect child development.