The still useful classic concept of development

Journal/Book: Hum Develop. 1995; 38: Allschwilerstrasse 10, CH-4009 Basel, Switzerland. Karger. 373-379.

Abstract: Freud and Piaget offered American researchers well-formed theories of development grounded in 19th-century European experiences of failed democratic experiments. Their theories sought to comet overly optimistic views of human nature, rationality, and morality. Americans tended to see these theories differently, as cumbersome expressions of a dated biology that needed to be replaced by modern theories of learning and information management. The resulting gain in efficiency that these learning theories achieve, however, is countered by a loss of interest in the original social-historical problems that Freud and Piaget tried to solve regarding irrationality and centered thinking. Because these problems remain within Western society, efficient accounts have become increasingly unsatisfactory. Perhaps it is for this reason that researchers have turned to ideas in humanities and literary studies that have remained concerned with understanding the limits and potential of human development through studies of persons in social-historical reality.

Note: Article J Youniss, Catholic Univ Amer, Inst Life Cycle, Washington, DC 20064 USA

Keyword(s): development; Freud; learning; piaget; social-historical context

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