Child Psychology Theories for TET

Child Psychology Theories for TET

1. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget.
• Children learn in stages:
  1. Sensory-Motor Stage (0–2 years): Learning through senses and movement.
  2. Pre-Operational Stage (2–7 years): Symbolic thinking, language, imagination. Egocentric thought.
  3. Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years): Logical thinking about concrete objects, conservation, classification.
  4. Formal Operational Stage (11+ years): Abstract and hypothetical thinking.
• Exam point: Questions on conservation, egocentrism, abstract thinking.

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2. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory

• Lev Vygotsky stressed social interaction in learning.
• Key concepts:
  • ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development): Gap between what a child can do alone vs with help.
  • Scaffolding: Teacher/peer support to reach higher learning.
  • Language is crucial for thought.
• Exam point: Collaboration, guidance, peer learning.

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3. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

• Lawrence Kohlberg – moral reasoning develops in stages:
  1. Pre-conventional (up to 9 years): Reward & punishment.
  2. Conventional (9–15 years): Following rules, social approval.
  3. Post-conventional (15+ years): Universal ethical principles, justice.
• Exam point: Stages linked with moral reasoning.

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4. Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

• 8 stages across life span:
  1. Trust vs Mistrust (0–1)
  2. Autonomy vs Shame (1–3)
  3. Initiative vs Guilt (3–6)
  4. Industry vs Inferiority (6–12)
  5. Identity vs Role Confusion (12–18)
  6. Intimacy vs Isolation (young adult)
  7. Generativity vs Stagnation (middle age)
  8. Integrity vs Despair (old age)
• Exam point: School years focus on Industry vs Inferiority.

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5. Bruner’s Theory of Instruction

• Jerome Bruner emphasized discovery learning.
• Modes of representation:
  • Enactive (action-based)
  • Iconic (image-based)
  • Symbolic (language-based)
• Spiral curriculum: Knowledge revisited at higher levels.
• Exam point: Constructivist learning.

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6. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

• Albert Bandura: Learning through observation and imitation.
• Bobo doll experiment showed children imitate aggression.
• Key concept: Modeling, vicarious learning, self-efficacy.
• Exam point: “Learning by observing others.”

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7. Thorndike’s Theory (Connectionism)

• Edward Thorndike: Trial and error learning.
• Laws:
  • Law of Effect: Behavior with satisfaction is repeated.
  • Law of Readiness: Willingness is important.
  • Law of Exercise: Practice strengthens learning.
• Exam point: Basis of drill method in teaching.

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8. Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning

• Ivan Pavlov: Dog experiment.
• Learning through association.
• Unconditioned stimulus (food) + neutral stimulus (bell) → conditioned response (salivation).
• Exam point: Used in habit formation, fear, phobia.

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9. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning

• B.F. Skinner: Learning through reinforcement.
• Positive reinforcement (reward), Negative reinforcement (removal of unpleasant thing), Punishment.
• Exam point: Token economy, programmed instruction.

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10. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

• Howard Gardner: Intelligence is not single.
• 8 types:
  1. Linguistic
  2. Logical-Mathematical
  3. Spatial
  4. Musical
  5. Bodily-Kinesthetic
  6. Interpersonal
  7. Intrapersonal
  8. Naturalistic
• Exam point: Each child has different strengths.

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11. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Abraham Maslow – motivational theory.
• Pyramid of needs:
  1. Physiological (food, water)
  2. Safety
  3. Love & belonging
  4. Esteem
  5. Self-actualization
• Exam point: Motivation in classroom depends on unmet needs.

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12. Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Benjamin Bloom – classification of educational objectives.
• Domains:
  • Cognitive (knowledge-based): Remember → Understand → Apply → Analyze → Evaluate → Create.
  • Affective (attitude-based)
  • Psychomotor (skill-based)
• Exam point: Questions on higher-order thinking.

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Quick Table (for TET Revision)

Theory	Psychologist	Key Idea
Cognitive Development	Piaget	4 stages of thinking
Socio-Cultural	Vygotsky	ZPD, scaffolding
Moral Development	Kohlberg	3 levels, 6 stages
Psychosocial	Erikson	8 stages of life
Discovery Learning	Bruner	Spiral curriculum
Social Learning	Bandura	Observation, modeling
Connectionism	Thorndike	Trial & error, laws of learning
Classical Conditioning	Pavlov	Learning by association
Operant Conditioning	Skinner	Reinforcement, punishment
Multiple Intelligences	Gardner	8 intelligences
Hierarchy of Needs	Maslow	Motivation pyramid
Bloom’s Taxonomy	Bloom	Learning objectives

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✅ These are the main psychology theories for TET/CTET Child Development & Pedagogy section.