Describe which theory best explains the influence of culture on human development and why.Various theories of human development exist within the field of psychology, although the role of culture differs among them.
Theories of Human Development
Various theories of human development exist within the field of psychology, although the role of culture differs among them. Some theories are considered universal and, thus, assume that an individual will develop similarly regardless of the culture in which he or she is raised. Yet, other theories assume that the developmental niche or ecological context of the individual has more of an influence on the individual. For example, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development assumes that everyone reaches the final stage of cognition regardless of his or her culture. In contrast, Brofenbrenner’s ecological systems theory suggests that culture is influential in human development.
For this Discussion, select two major theories of human development that interest you. Consider the similarities and differences in how these theories explain cultural influences on human development.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 4 a brief description of the two theories of human development that you selected. Then, compare the major components of the two theories. Finally, describe which theory best explains the influence of culture on human development and why. Support your responses using the Learning Resources and the current literature
References
Article: Furnham, A., & Fukumoto, S. (2008). Japanese parents’ estimates of their own and their children’s multiple intelligences: Cultural modesty and moderate differentiation. Japanese Psychological Research, 50(2), 63–76.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Academic Search Complete database.
Article: Smith, M. K. (2008). Howard Gardner and multiple intelligences. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
Article: Sternberg, R. J., & Grigorenko, E. L. (2004). Why we need to explore development in its cultural context Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 50(3), 369–386.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Academic Search Complete database.
Article: Tsethlikai, M. (2011). An exploratory analysis of American Indian children’s cultural engagement, fluid cognitive skills, and standardized verbal IQ scores. Developmental Psychology, 47(1), 192–202. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycARTICLES database.
Article: Uichol, K., & Young-Shin, P. (2006). Indigenous psychological analysis of academic achievement in Korea: The influence of self-efficacy, parents, and culture. International Journal of Psychology, 41(4), 287–292.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Academic Search Complete database.
Media
Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2007). Culture and psychology: Culture and human development. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Transcript of media
Culture and Human Development Program Transcript
NARRATOR: All human beings develop in a cultural context. And that context shapes how they develop, from their sense of self to the choices they make. In this video program, doctors Hazel Rose Markus, Shinobu Kitayama, and Steven Heine discuss the influence of culture on aspects of human development, including intelligence.
HAZEL ROSE MARKUS: Oh, it’s great to be here– SHINOBU KITAYAMA: Oh, very nice to see you. STEVEN HEINE: Oh, yeah. Great to see you.
HAZEL ROSE MARKUS: –to have a conversation about culture and development. I think development is one of those areas of psychology that there are so many important ideas. It’s so central to everything about psychology.
STEVEN HEINE: How people become people.
HAZEL ROSE MARKUS: That’s it. It’s really at the core. And there have been so many important contributions.
You think about Piaget. You think about Kohlberg. Those theories– everybody uses those theories. It’s interesting to think about, though. Piaget– how did he come to his conclusions? What did he base his theory on?
SHINOBU KITAYAMA: Well, he observed his own child– HAZEL ROSE MARKUS: That’s right. That’s right.
SHINOBU KITAYAMA: –and developed his theory. And I think it’s a very, very interesting intellectual exercise to imagine what the theory might have looked like if Piaget was African or Asian, or he should have observed some [INAUDIBLE].
HAZEL ROSE MARKUS: I think that’s right. He’s there looking at his kids, doing what a good scientist would do. Careful observation study. Remarkable observations and generalizations that he made, but I think he probably thought he was observing development, human nature, unfolding, developing. And he charted it very carefully.
SHINOBU KITAYAMA: But from the very beginning of life, human behavior is shaped so much by cultural practices. Just for example, sleeping arrangement is very, very different.
Culture and Human Development
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