Review several of your classmate's posts and respond to at least two. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful and interactive discourse in this discussion.
Were there any contributions to the field of psychology by your colleagues' chosen theorist that were not included in his or her initial post? How might these contributions have provided more insight into the contemporary issue being considered?
Critically examine and reconcile any discrepancies between your classmate's perspective(s) and the research he or she cited. Suggest a different theoretical perspective that might align more easily with the contemporary issue identified by your colleague.
There are so many that have made contributions to the field. I chose Jean Piaget. I chose him because of his developmental contributions. Early in his life, he went from collecting test answers from children to asking them why they answered the way they did. He was looking for that biological explanation. That burning question of why, has always been one I have asked myself.
I am certain everyone in the field of psychology can identify with that. Piaget wanted to find explanations for knowledge. His study of children allowed him to further define this.
The stages of cognitive development describe the intellectual development of children from infancy to early adulthood. Piaget believed that children are not less intelligent than adults, they simply think differently. He believed children work their way through stages, with cognitive skills, that enable them to become fully functional adults.
Jean Piaget gave the world, "Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development". Theses stages go into detail of ages and behaviors associated within the stage. These stages being; Sensori-motor, Pre-operational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational. His work allowed for a better understanding of how a child mind develops, with his focus on children, he did not include any other category of learner.
It would have been interesting to include those with learning disabilities and have his perspective on that area. I work in Child Protective Services. All too often, we see what happens when children do not develop properly, or do not have supporting parents who ensure the children's health comes first.
In the article Mental Health starts in childhood, it discusses the need for helping children develop at a young age, to ensure the successful transition into adulthood. Developmental psychology could assist parents in knowing what signs to look for, to determine if their child needs help, or is developing in a health manner.
The article discusses how it is not only the physical health that needs to be focused on, but the mental health as well. Piaget's Cognitive Development shaped the way we understand children even today. Schools have developed their curriculums around his theory. Many teachers still use the theory to help children learn through experiences.
If a child is not developing or adapting to the expectations held for them, interventions can be found to help. Cornish, R. (2015, Oct 05). Mental Health starts in childhood.
The Mercury Retrieved from Harré, R. (2006). Key thinkers in psychology. London, UK: Sage. Retrieved from the Credo database