Evaluating Alternative Models of Development: An Illustrative Study of Preschool Personal-Social Behaviors

Abstract

EMMERICH, WALTER. Evaluating Alternative Models of Development: An Illustrative Study of Preschool Personal-Social Behaviors. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 1401-1410. Theories of development have evolved into separate scientific models or paradigms, but it may be possible for investigators to maintain the integrity of separate models while shifting back and forth among model assumptions. A scheme is formulated for this purpose. The ideas of person consistency, contextual influence, and developmental change are considered jointly in deriving 3 basic and 3 interactive models of behavioral development. Analysis suggests that such models are not necessarily mutually exclusive but, rather, are incomplete representations which may be combined to form more complete representations. The scheme is illustrated in a study of 16 nursery school children's personal-social behaviors within 2 contexts (free play and teacherdirected small group) during 2 time periods. The scope and limits of the scheme and illustrative study are discussed.