Theory of Development: John Lock's Environmentalism

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1. What implications does Locke's view of human development e.g., environmentalism have for children, psychology, and education? Include theory description, assumptions and learning principles.

English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704): Environmentalism

- One of the two great pioneers in child psychology.
- Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) being the other.
- Considered the father of environmentalism and learning theory: his heirs are scientists such as Pavlov and B. F.Skinner.
- In part, his theory developed as a reaction to preformationist who viewed children as little adults.
- Refuted the doctrine of innate ideas proposed by Plato, Descartes, and others who maintained that certain ideas are innate, existing in the mind prior to experience (e.g., when we see a mathematical fact, we immediately perceive its truth) arguing that since children and idiots know nothing of mathematics or logic, these ideas cannot exist from the beginning (Locke, 1690).

Theoretical Assumptions of Locke's Views on Development

- Assumes that individuals have special ...