Freud and Erikson could be classified as which type of theorists?

Freud and Erikson could be classified as which type of theorists?

• A. Behaviorists
• B. Maturationists
• C. Humanists
• D. Cognitive Theorists

Answer: (B)

This question is about how we categorize major developmental theorists by what drives development. Freud and Erikson describe development as unfolding through a sequence of stages tied to age and guided by internal forces—the psychic energy in Freud’s theory and the psychosocial crises in Erikson’s. This focus on a biologically timed, stage-based progression fits the maturationist view, which emphasizes development driven by maturational processes. They’re not primarily about learning through reinforcement (behaviorists), mental problem-solving and information processing (cognitive theorists), or the pursuit of self-actualization and subjective growth (humanists). So, the best fit is maturationists.

This question is about how we categorize major developmental theorists by what drives development. Freud and Erikson describe development as unfolding through a sequence of stages tied to age and guided by internal forces—the psychic energy in Freud’s theory and the psychosocial crises in Erikson’s. This focus on a biologically timed, stage-based progression fits the maturationist view, which emphasizes development driven by maturational processes. They’re not primarily about learning through reinforcement (behaviorists), mental problem-solving and information processing (cognitive theorists), or the pursuit of self-actualization and subjective growth (humanists). So, the best fit is maturationists.