Bibilical Perspectives of Controversies in Child Development Theories

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Biblical Perspectives in Relation to Controversies in Child Development Theories Gerald Ngaruiya Masters Degree in Child Development Daystar University, Nairobi 22th October 2012 Introduction According to Webster‟s new world dictionary a controversy is a discussion of a question in which opposing opinions clash. In the four child development controversies, there are two standpoints in which different theorists justify the rationale behind child development in various aspects, emotional, physical, social, cognitive and even cultural. The four controversies under scrutiny are all drawn from across the various theories as regards to child development. These theories include, cognitive theory (Jean Piaget), psychoanalytic theories (Eric Erickson, Sigmund Freud); attachment theory (John Bowly), social cultural theory (Levi Vogysky), Behavioural theory (B F Skinner, Alfred Bandura), theory or moral development (Kolberg), among others. The four controversies are: 1. Nature versus nurture 2. Universality versus diversity 3. Active child versus passive child 4. Quantitative versus qualitative changes Why draw the bible into these controversies? The bible is the inerrant word of God that shapes and governs the world we live in and around us. It is the road map that guides 1|Gerald Ngaruiya - 22.10.2012 Christians and generations. While the bible in itself is not contradictory, it offers deep insights into the way these controversies are viewed. EXAMINING THE CONTROVERSIES Nature vs Nurture This controversy draws in questions of whether it‟s the genetic factors (nature) or environmental experiences (nurture) that shape the development of children through adulthood. Some of the issues brought to debate on this controversy include whether intelligence is stable or can it be altered by environmental resources or whether height and weight are predetermined by genetics or

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