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Psychoanalytic Theory
First suggested by Freud's psychosexual theory, and developed by other researchers, including Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, this theory depends on stages the child goes through in emotional, social, and language development. This is influenced by biological needs, the "id," the "ego" personality, and the "superego" conscience implemented by society. This theory is rarely used today, yet influenced a lot of future research on child development. (Berk, 2009); (Cook & Artino, 2016) -
Behaviorist Theory
This theory of language development was created by B.F. Skinner, considering how he believed all behaviors were learned. He suggested that language is learned through imitation and reinforcement through operant conditioning. Although not a widely used perspective today, it is the basis for multiple other language development theories. This perspective was held in contention with Chomsky's Nativist Perspective in the 1950s. (Berk, 2009) -
Nativist Theory
First proposed by Noam Chomsky, this more scientific theory of language development considers that every human is born with an innate language acquisition device and universal grammar. While a lot of research has backed this understanding of our innate ability to learn language, this theory fails to consider the social components of language development. This perspective was held in contention with Skinner's Behaviorist Perspective in the 1950s. (Berk, 2009) -
Cognitive-Developmental Theory
This theory of development was first suggested by Jean Piaget. While his work began in the 1930s, it was more accepted by the 1960s, after Skinner's Behaviorist Perspective began to lose interest by researchers. The Cognitive Theory suggests that as children grow older they hit certain stages where their capacity to understand more components of language develop. His theory fails to consider environmental and cultural factors with language development. (Wanjohi, 2010) -
Ethological Theory of Attachment
This theory of emotional development, recommended by John Bowlby, suggests that infants' attachment to their caregivers is developed overtime, starting with innate, biological behaviors during the preattachment phase that evolves into the infant forming close relationships with the caregivers. (Berk, 2009) -
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Information Processing Theory
This interactionist influenced theory was created based on the model of a computer where there is an input of the information into the child, then processing within the child, to an output behavior. This theory is based on the biological parts of the brain and neural networks that control language processes. (Berk, 2009) -
Social Learning Theory
Most influenced by Albert Bandura, this theory was built upon the behaviorist perspective of development. His theory focuses on cognitive and behavioral factors. It suggests that children observe behaviors (social, emotional, language, etc.) and become motivated to reinforce certain ones. As children develop they create personal standards and develop self efficacy that affects their cognition. The beliefs they create about themselves and the world affect the way they develop.(Kretchmar, 2019) -
Social Interactionist Theory
This interactionist theory of language acquisition is based on Vygotsky's socicultural theory and suggests that children acquire language as they communicate with others and first learn pragmatics of the language. This theory contends that the need to talk and listen to others is what causes children to develop language. It explains that environment is an essential source for language development. (Wanjohi, 2010) -
Self-Regulated Learning Theory
This theory was created based on Bandura's social learning theory combined with cognitive research and understandings. This theory explains that children develop ways of managing emotion through effortful control, self regulation, and other strategy use. It also includes the development of metacognition and motivational control. This theory explains how children reach independence in managing emotion and learning. (Berk, 2009); (Bruning, Schraw, Ronning, 1999) -
Attribution Theory
This theory considers what occurs after an event as the person creates an reason for something occurring the way it did. It considers if the event was internal or external (locus), and the stability and controllability of an event. The attribution of an event affects emotions and emotional development in an individual related to the past event and how the individual might handle a future similar event. (Cook & Artino, 2016); (Bruning, Schraw, Ronning, 1999)
