Week 2 Guadalupe Dominguez
Chapter 2 in the textbook "LIFESMART" starts by laying out the importance of theories. We are informed of how theories are an aid to keep information organize. Theories help us focus while we hunt through the mystique of the human evolution and assist with the explanation of how one can obtain conclusions out of given information. Theories can also be tested as a mean to be confirmed truthfully or not. In page 28 a theory is defined as "a belief or idea that develops based on information or evidence; a proposed explanation for observed phenomena"(LIFESMART.2011.) It then goes on to present the different theories; Freud, Erickson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Skinner and Lerner.
On the text it goes on to explain the different theories. Freud concentrated mostly on the psychosocial stages to which the fundamental features are the Id, ego, superego and psycho-sexual stages. It supports the idea that challenges during development generate fixation, regression, and personality difficulty, while targeting for a sexually full-grown person. Erikson's main ideas in the other hand deal with the psycho-social stages and its main fundamentals psycho-social crises and stages, and its purpose is to produce a sense of personal righteousness. Piaget focuses on the cognitive structures of human development and it prioresses it. It has very strong fundamentals to target the fragile formation of cognitive structures. Piaget's intention is to be able to form a adequate use of intellectual structures. Vygotsky's focuses on social processes that are influence by culture.The issues that are addressed in Vygotsky's theory is that of not having enough support from surrounding environment. Skinner's theory concentrates on behavior, it promotes the importance of proper modeling in development and its roles in obtaining conditioned acts to full fill needs. The Lerner theory is some what different to the rest because this one suggest that all characteristics interplay with a persons environment to shape them, and they are all equally important and the final result is a combination of biological, psychological and social forces along with the environment.
Another very important topic on the reading was the maslow's hierarchy of needs. It is composed of 5 levels; psycho-social, safety, love-belonging, steem and self actualization. I truly believe this pyramid is true because in order to advance to the next level one must first accomplish the previous. The first level is physiological needs which are also the most basic needs for survival such as water, food ,sleep all needed for a satisfactory health. If the needs in the 1st level are not meet then all the other levels loose importance and therefore.
As a future teacher I feel secure to say that yes, in fact basic needs need to be meet in order for anything else to take place. Making connections with what I learned in the reading makes me more aware to the reasons a student may have for not meeting any criteria successfully . It will make me think twice as how to better help my future students, for there may be something going on for them ,out of their control that is having a negative effect on their education, something as simple as a basic need. it is very important to be as aware and informed as possible as future educators on not only the cognitive area that pertains to a child's development but also all the other areas that interrelate as are basic needs, safety and even love or feeling like one belongs.
On the text it goes on to explain the different theories. Freud concentrated mostly on the psychosocial stages to which the fundamental features are the Id, ego, superego and psycho-sexual stages. It supports the idea that challenges during development generate fixation, regression, and personality difficulty, while targeting for a sexually full-grown person. Erikson's main ideas in the other hand deal with the psycho-social stages and its main fundamentals psycho-social crises and stages, and its purpose is to produce a sense of personal righteousness. Piaget focuses on the cognitive structures of human development and it prioresses it. It has very strong fundamentals to target the fragile formation of cognitive structures. Piaget's intention is to be able to form a adequate use of intellectual structures. Vygotsky's focuses on social processes that are influence by culture.The issues that are addressed in Vygotsky's theory is that of not having enough support from surrounding environment. Skinner's theory concentrates on behavior, it promotes the importance of proper modeling in development and its roles in obtaining conditioned acts to full fill needs. The Lerner theory is some what different to the rest because this one suggest that all characteristics interplay with a persons environment to shape them, and they are all equally important and the final result is a combination of biological, psychological and social forces along with the environment.
Another very important topic on the reading was the maslow's hierarchy of needs. It is composed of 5 levels; psycho-social, safety, love-belonging, steem and self actualization. I truly believe this pyramid is true because in order to advance to the next level one must first accomplish the previous. The first level is physiological needs which are also the most basic needs for survival such as water, food ,sleep all needed for a satisfactory health. If the needs in the 1st level are not meet then all the other levels loose importance and therefore.
As a future teacher I feel secure to say that yes, in fact basic needs need to be meet in order for anything else to take place. Making connections with what I learned in the reading makes me more aware to the reasons a student may have for not meeting any criteria successfully . It will make me think twice as how to better help my future students, for there may be something going on for them ,out of their control that is having a negative effect on their education, something as simple as a basic need. it is very important to be as aware and informed as possible as future educators on not only the cognitive area that pertains to a child's development but also all the other areas that interrelate as are basic needs, safety and even love or feeling like one belongs.
As a future teacher I am happy you are finding so many early connections. Maslow is tough to "prove" empirically but the philosophy of Maslow is perfect for teachers. In other words, teaching a child is more then teaching. It is providing an environment and support to address developmental needs as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Guadalupe,
ReplyDeletegreat response! I too felt that these theories we have read about will help us especially in our careers. At times we will come across some students that do certain things or act a way others may not understand, but at least by knowing these theories we will be able to connect with them and we could guide them.
I connected Skinner's behaviorism with teachers and students. Do you feel you might apply his views to your own classroom?
I agree with Maslow's hierarchy needs. It's a good point you about advancing to the next you have to accomplish the previous. Do you feel that you yourself applied his hierarchy to your own life?
Overall great summary of chapter two. Really enjoyed reading your response!
Hi Guadalupe,
ReplyDeleteYou make very good points regarding the two theories that stood out for me the most. Beginning with Russian psychologist, Vygotsky, he stresses the influence of culture in development. Carrying this theory over to the classroom setting, I believe it is important to always consider each student's culture and background and being aware of how they may communicate/express themselves. Also taking into consideration Maslow's hierarchy of needs on how an individual must accomplish each level before advancing to the next. Working with students, I am amazed to see how many of them are going through so many different situations and each are a different level. I was also surprised to read on pg 45 that "Maslow's estimation, only approximately 2% of the world population will ever reach the highest level of needs being met and utilized." Now I feel this is opening another can of worms, but I see this as individuals not reaching their full potential or capable of doing. This chapter was an eye opener to me and also more aware of each individual's need outside and inside the classroom.
Hi Guadalupe,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as future teachers we need to understand these theories. I agree that Erickson's theories and stages has the purpose to produce a sense of righteousness. I can agree that human life progresses through eight stages of life. Maslow's hierarchy of needs was a good one as well and an eye opener. This helps us as we work with children to try to better understand them inside and outside the classroom.
Hi Guadalupe
ReplyDeleteI love how you wrote “As a future teacher I feel secure to say that yes, in fact basic needs need to be meet in order for anything else to take place.” I can relate to your comment on basic needs from Maslow’s pyramid.. I work with students as a teacher assistant in an area with low income families. Wow, the kids that I work with either have a steady house hold or a house that is barley livable, there is no in between. Us as future teachers need to have great communications with our parents. So, that we know why our student is misbehaving or acting out. For example, a few days ago we had one of our students who was day dreaming. She had a hard time concentrating in the classroom. So, I called mom and she had said she didn’t see dad that weekend. So, we immediately knew that could have been the problem. We need to be aware of each individual need outside and inside the classroom.