Question

How did Piaget's theory of development differ from that of Freud?

Freud focused on factors that motivate behavior; Piaget focused on intellectual development.


Piaget viewed development as a product of interaction between biological and environmental forces.



Piaget focused on the family unit; Freud was more interested in the individual.


Freud focused on factors that motivate behavior; Piaget focused on evolution and natural selection.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Piaget's theory of development differs from Freud's in several key ways:

1. **Focus of Development**: Freud's theory centers on psychosexual stages and the motivations behind behavior, emphasizing the role of unconscious drives and desires. In contrast, Piaget's theory is concerned with cognitive development, focusing on how children acquire knowledge and understand the world around them.

2. **Nature of Development**: Piaget viewed development as a result of the interaction between biological maturation and environmental experiences. He posited that children actively construct their understanding of the world through processes like assimilation and accommodation. Freud, on the other hand, emphasized the influence of early childhood experiences and innate drives, such as those related to sexuality and aggression.

3. **Scope of Interest**: Freud's analysis is more focused on the individual psyche and interpersonal relationships, particularly within the context of the family unit and early relationships. Piaget's work, while acknowledging social influence, is primarily dedicated to how children think and reason, thus viewing cognitive growth as a more universal process.

4. **Theoretical Foundations**: Freud’s theories are rooted in psychoanalytic theory and often focused on unconscious motivations, while Piaget's work is grounded in developmental psychology, particularly constructivism and the cognitive processes underlying learning and development.

In summary, the most accurate distinction would be: **Freud focused on factors that motivate behavior; Piaget focused on intellectual development.**

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