The Effects of Environmental Manipulation on Different Learning Theories
INTRODUCTION
The environment plays a crucial role on our behaviour. Environmental
Manipulation is about the circumstances, people, things and events
around people that influence their life. The purpose of this paper is
to prove the affects environment has on behaviour and whether a
person’s behaviour is determined by their upbringing (nurture) or by
their genetic characteristics (nature). The research is important
because if we were to find that the way someone is, is controlled by
genetic factors then changing there behaviour will be extremely
difficult. On the other hand if their social background determined
someone’s behaviour then it could be far easier to deal with
behavioural problems. The essay will begin with the nature-nurture
debate. This will be followed by case studies. Learning theories of
Piaget and Vygotsky will also be discussed and finally an overall
conclusion will follow.
NATURE VS NURTURE
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Nature vs. nurture has been an oscillating controversy in the field of
psychology for many years. Does one inherit genes, or does the
environment affect one’s genes? The basis of nature is the principle
that people have their personalities engraved inside their genes,
which are inherited from their parents. The basis of nurture is that
the environment plays a big role in the development of a person’s
personality. Both nature and nurture, therefore, play a crucial role
as the determining factors of one's intelligence, personality, and
behaviour.
Early studies have focused mainly upon the environmental influence,
...
... middle of paper ...
...icant effect on
the way that children cognitive processes have been studied and they
have also had a profound effect on education. It would be fair to say
that Vygotsky did not reject all of the elements of Piaget’s theory
but took the weak areas and strengthened them by taking into
consideration socio – cultural factors and language for example.
REFERENCE
Gupta and Richardson, (1995) Children’s Cognitive and Language
Development, Blackwell Publishers Ltd in association with the Open
University.
Wood, D. (1998) How children think and learn (Second Edition),
Blackwell Publishers
Sutherland, P (1992) Cognitive Development Today, Paul Chapman
Publishing Ltd
Harris J.R. (1999) The Nurture Assumption, Bloomsbury Publishers
Video : ‘Wild Child’
(http://kccesl.tripod.com/genie.html 15 April 2005)
The debate of nature vs. nurture still continues today in the world of psychology. The effects of an individual’s genetics and the effects of their environment on their personality and actions is an age old debate that is still inconclusive. However, it is evident that both sides of the argument carry some form of the truth. It can be contended that the major characteristics of an individual are formed by their environment, more specifically, their past experiences. An individual’s past moulds and shapes their identity, if they do not make an effort to move on from it. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that clinging on to the past prevents individuals from fully experiencing the present, eventually leading to resentment, dissatisfaction, and misjudgements.
...agreed with Piaget as his theory ignored the social environment. Vygotsky argued society was essential to child development as it allowed child interaction with others. He argued that language is acquired by the child “internalizing social interactions”. A child learns from another person and after interactions are repeated several times the child internalizes it. Vygotsky argued this can only be achieved with another person and carried out in the child’s “zone of proximal development”. Both Vygotsky and Piaget felt a child was active in the their own development. Vygotsky argues environment and its interactions shape the child, in contrast Piaget’s theory is more biologically linked.
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Nature versus nurture is an argument in psychology over whether a person’s innate qualities and behaviors are caused from their environment or if they’re born with it. Vygotsky places more emphasis on the social factors that contribute to cognitive development, in other words he is in favor of the nurture argument. He believes that everyone learns from their culture, environment, and social interactions. He talks about a few of his theories like the zone of proximal development, and a more knowledgeable other. He also expresses his thoughts on developmental tools and the importance of language to cognitive development. All of these factors together support his idea that children’s behavior is learned.
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Piaget versus Vygotsky: Similarities and Differences This paper explores the ideas of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. Exploring their philosophies and how they impact us today. The two scholarly articles show similarities and differences in their works and explore what they each mean. Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are two of the most influential philosophers in the field of cognitive development.
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