Running head: LITERATURE SEARCH: THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Literature Search: Theories of Human Development
Lifespan Development and Learning
PSYCH 538

Literature Search: Theories of Human Development Many theories on human development can be found beneficial to educators in today’s society. This allows educators to review theoretical research, which will enable them to gain insight into understanding how children develop and how they can assist in their development. Theoretical research also gives educators, parents, and administrators discernment as to whom they are in their adult stage of this human development life cycle. When we look at theories such as environmental versus epigenetic, psychoanalytic, behaviorist, classical conditioning, social learning, cognitive, humanism, and stages of moral development, we attempt to find the one who best fit our thought pattern. [Avoid using I, we, and you in academic and professional writing. When you use personal pronouns that are not necessary, you focus attention on yourself, rather than your ideas. You want your ideas to come across as factual and authoritative, not personal.] After reviewing and discussing each theory, one will find there is no perfect theory, per se, but many of the theories will have an almost perfect fit into the world of human development. “A human development theory may focus on only one aspect of development, such as cognitive development, or may emphasize development of the total self” (Rice, p. 19). “Theories are particularly useful because they look beyond detailed data and give broad, comprehensive views of things” (Rice, p. 19). The different theorists will allow people the opportunity to come to their on conclusion regarding each of them. Environmental versus epigenetic theory accentuates a certain relationship linking genes and our [Avoid using I, we, and you in academic and professional writing. When you use personal pronouns that are not necessary, you focus attention on yourself, rather than your ideas. You want your ideas to come across as factual and authoritative, not personal. Repeated error will not be cited again.] environment to influencing the human development cycle. Environmental factors may or may not have some bearing on the appearance and degeneration of epigenetic factors. The environment theory here is defined as anything, which comes in contact with the fetus, can change the current condition inside the mother’s womb. Some of the environmental factors that can influence the genetic make-up of humans are water, nutrition, culture, and socioeconomic surroundings. These are just a few environmental factors that may or may not have an impact on genetics. We must understand there are numerous stressors that can occur due to our genetic inheritance. Moreover, the environmental stressors happen to be included. Genetics on the other hand [comma before "other hand"] , are unique in themselves. When reviewing the epigenetic theory, the first thought is genes and the study of epigenetic inheritance. How does our genetic make-up fit into an environmental theory? Since genetics can be directly related to the environment due to stressors that may be beyond our control, we should research a way to correlate the two in a more positive manner. Epi means surrounding factors. Epigenetic would be the surrounding factors that have an impact on genetics. In a genetic environment, genes need help functioning. They are not designed to function without help. The epigenetic theory gives us insight into our heritage and the effects of our surroundings. The environment decides which selection occurs and what traits are essential for enhanced opportunities in the area of reproduction. In comparison, both, the environment and genetics, may display stress factors and facilitating factors, which in turn bring about a discussion regarding environmental versus epigenetic theories. “In contrast, the epigenetic theory