Psychodynamic Theory In Developmental Psychology

Introduction to Developmental Psychology
The purpose of this essay is to describe and evaluate two approaches/theories in developmental psychology. Also, by applying the nature versus nurture and debate to both approaches, looking at the arguments to support both sides. It will describe and evaluate the psychodynamic theory and the social learning theory, also describing and evaluating studies to support these theories.
Cox (2009) explained that the nature-nurture debate is a long running debate in Psychology. The ‘nature’ position takes the view that human characteristics and abilities are genetically resolute and innate, we are born with our characteristics and they will arise as each individual grows from a child to an adult. The nature

But gender refers to the social aspects of this distinction: to the behaviour and conduct which the individual engages in as they interact with other people.” These definitions are often viewed as the same thing by many members of society. Looking at the nature vs nurture debate being applied to gender, the nurture side would argue that males and females have different gender roles due to the expectations and burden of society. The nature side would argue that males and females have different gender roles due to biological differences predisposing them to certain roles. For example, males have higher testosterone levels, whereas women have oestrogen. This is where males have been given the stereotypes of the breadwinner, the stronger of the sexes. Whereas, a woman who is typically more passive, given the gender roles of the caregiver, weak. This has a big effect on generations of young people, girls as young as seven have stated they feel like cannot express themselves due to gender stereotyping. A poll of 2000 young women was taken, 55% of them stated they could not speak freely due to being gender stereotyped, a further 57% stated this affected what they wore, and nearly one in two said this effected how they contributed in school (Marsh

It looks at key things that happen during childhood which help to establish a gender role, for example being praised for acting in a way which perceives to be a normal way of acting for a child of that sex. For a young boy this could be playing football and for a young girl this could be playing with dolls. The social learning theory also looks at the amount of gender role stereotyping in the media. These stereotypical ways in the media then influence the people exposed to them to perceive what is socially ‘normal’ for a person of that gender. Although this theory does not recognise the role of biology, not acknowledging the genetics and hormones, therefore it makes this theory