Applying Theoretical Perspective to Curriculum Content
Behaviorist Perspectives This theoretical perspective attempts to study observable and measurable behavior. It states that mental processes cannot be studied scientifically. The most common behaviorist principles are “if you cannot see it and you cannot measure it, then it does not exist. This theoretical perspective states that all the behaviors in humans and animals are learned.
Behaviorist uses the blank slate idea, this idea posit that no behavior in human beings or animals is inmate. The theorist-researcher associated with this perspective is John B. Watson. The Nativist Perspectives This perspective argues that human beings are biologically programmed to gain knowledge. The theorist-researcher assoiated with this perspective is Noam Chomsky.
He proposed that human beings are born with a language acquisition device (LAD). The language acquisition device has knowledge of the grammatical rules common to all languages. Chomsky is the pioneer of the concepts of transformational grammar, surface structure and deep structure (Huffman, Carpenter, 2009).Cognitive Developmental Perspectives Cognitive refers to something related to mental activity. Remembering, thinking, and using language. This perspective looks at development in terms of mental processing.
The major views within the Cognitive Perspectives are Cognitive Developmental perspectives and Information Processing theory. The theorist-researcher associated with Cognitive developmental theory is Jean Piaget. Jean Piaget argues that cognittive process develops in four stages. The four stages are as follows; sensor motor, this involves the development of a child from birth up to two years. Pre-operational, this process of cognitive development take place between two and seven years.
Concrete operational is from seven years up to eleven years. Formal Operational is from eleven years and beyond (Huffman, Carpenter, 2009). Interactionist PerspectivesThis perspective examines the role of fit. Person fit refers to the personality, values, and goals of an individual. This perspective focuses on what goes on in a person’s life everyday. Interactionist Perspectives are concerned with how we interpret symbols so as to be able to communicate with others.
The theorist-researcher associated with this perspective is James Parker.
