Ashley Woodmansee

Theory Comparison
FHS 2600 Period 6
In chapter four of the reading there are six theorists discussed. This includes, Erikson,

Maslow, Piaget, Vygotsky, Skinner/Behaviorism, and the Reggio Emilia Approach. Each of these

theories view the childs development and each theory differs from the others.

Erik Erikson was a psychologist and he studied the importance of culture and social

experience during development. He hypothesized that here were four stages of psychological and

social development for children. Stage 1 is Trust versus mistrust (0-18 months), this means that

children know when they cry, and someone is there for them (trust). Stage 2 is Autonomy versus

doubt (18 months-3 years), this means when children begin to resist you, give them two

acceptable options and let them pick. Stage 3 includes initiative versus guilt (3-6 years), this

includes, that kids between these ages are likely to be able to many things on their own. Lastly,

stage 4, Industry versus inferiority (6-12 years), this is finding satisfaction in school achievement

and mastery of new skills.

Abraham Maslow was involved in a group of psychologists. Maslow developed the self-

actualization theory; this stated that behavior and learning are motivated by a hierarchy of needs.

Both Erikson and Maslows theories are related to social and personality, along with the

motivated to learn.

Jean Piaget and Vygotsky have theories that apply to cognitive development. Piaget

stated that Children dont think like adults, he called his theory constructivism. Constructivism

states that children actively build their knowledge from their experiences in learning
environments. Lev Vygotsky had the sociocultural theory, this means that children learn from

social interaction within a cultural setting.

Behaviorism is a theory that states, Learning is a change in behavior, controlled by the

consequences, either positive or negative, following the behavior. This uses the process operant

conditioning. The physiologist B.F. Skinner used rats to conduct an experiment, where he

discovered he could train rats to press a lever, by rewarding them with food. This also used

operant conditioning, which is associated with reinforcers. Negative reinforcement is often

referred to as punishment. Behaviorism is a learning theory and not a theory of development.

This means that this theory can be used to help children learn but may not affect their growth and

development.

Reggio Emilia are schools in Italy and they had an approach to early childhood

education. This approach is where principles of early childhood education, emanate from the

image of the child rich in potential as a citizen with rights. This approach is not curriculum or a

model, it combines several theories, but at the same time expands on them. There are nine main

principles included in this approach, they are, the image of the child, childrens relationships and

interactions, the role of parents, the role of space: an amiable school, teachers and children as

partners in learning, curriculum as a process of inviting and sustaining learning, the many

languages of children, learning through projects, and the power of documentation. Also in this

approach, representation reflects what the children can do, but also changes it.

All of these theorists can help you to understand the children. By knowing Eriksons

stages and seeing how the child compares to these, or using behaviorism to see how the children

react to positive and negative reinforcements. I think that it is important to not rely on just one
theory; I think that it is helpful to know about several and implement them into the childs life.

However I feel as though using operant conditioning and a reinforcer may cause the child to do

something with the wrong motivations. I feel as though using bribery may be effective in some

areas; however for some things the children should be able to perform the task without getting

something from it. For example, Apologize to Charlie and you can have a new toy.

In conclusion I find all of these theories to be important since some may be helpful for

one child and be totally pointless for another. Each theory views the child a little differently, but

all of them may be correct. These six theorists were important for early childhood education.