Questions
You teach at a well-regarded preschool that serves families in a suburban community. Aidan has been a student in your class of 4-year-olds for the past 4 months. You see Aidan as a bright and affectionate child who is an active participant in circle time, center time, and other class activities.
A problem has arisen on the playground, however. Aidan has gotten into disputes with other children much more frequently than usual and has even tried to bite other children on several occasions.
You have tried to explain why the behavior is unacceptable and to redirect Aidan’s behavior, but it is time for a more serious approach. There appears to be no simple reason for his problem behavior (there are no major changes at home or at the preschool) and the problem is limited to the situation described above.
Think about the questions you would ask about Aidan’s problem behavior if you took a social development theoretical approach. Would you be more likely to look to Aidan’s environment or to Aidan as an individual for the source of the problem? Why? (Provide examples of some of the types of questions your category of theories would ask.)
Based on social development theory, what suggestions would you have about approaches to try with Aidan? (Explain why these suggestions align with your assigned theory)
What do you see as the relative advantages and disadvantages of social development theory in this situation?