Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications (4th Edition)

This book covers twenty-two theories of development and their implication on education. It also introduces readers to the theorists behind the theories in a lively and easily accessible manner. Comparing and contrasting the theories covered, the book focuses on theorists who follow the developmental tradition of Rousseau - such as Gesell, Piaget, and Montessori - and their belief that we grow largely from our inner promptings and spontaneous discoveries at different times throughout our lifetimes. In addition, the author looks at theorists in the environmental/learning tradition. For anyone interested in the philosophy of child rearing and education, relative to a child's growth and the growth of our society as a whole.

This best-selling text introduces students to twenty-two theories of development. Comparing and contrasting the theories covered, it focuses on theorists who follow the developmental tradition of Rousseau--theorists such as Gesell, Piaget, and Montessori, who believe we grow largely from our inner maturational promptings and spontaneous discoveries. However, Crain also covers theorists in the environmental/learning tradition. The book concludes with a chapter on how developmental theorists anticipated major themes in contemporary humanistic psychology.