Motor Development Theories and Human Growth Analysis

Item 2. General Driving Behavior and Human Development

• 1. The role of traction in Piagetian theory.
• 2. The psychobiological concept of R. Wallon: Tone and motor skills.
• 3. The psychoanalytic model in human development as a motor connection.
• 4. The maturational theory of A. Gesell: Maturational processes in motor development.
• 5. Learning theories and human development.
• 6. Human development and the role of motor skills from the Soviet perspective.

Objectives

Analyze the role of traction in evolutionary development theories:

• a) Piagetian theory.
• b) The psychobiological conception of R. Wallon.
• c) The psychoanalytic model.
• d) The maturational theory of A. Gesell.
• e) Learning theories.
• f) The Soviet perspective.

Motor Skills and General Theories of Human Development

The primary interest of these authors was not strictly the study of motor development.

Key Studies:

• Piaget: Psychological development of children.
• Gesell: Maturational theory on child development.
• Freud: Psychoanalytic theory.
• Behaviorism: Learning theory.
• Soviet Authors: Vygotsky, Leontiev, Zaporozhets, and Elkonin.

2.1. The Role of Motor Skills

Piaget's Theory

Piaget focused on understanding how children gain access to knowledge. From this perspective, we highlight the role that motor actions play in accessing knowledge. For Piaget, motor skills at different levels are involved in the development of cognitive functions: "All cognitive development rests on motor skills." Although humans can think without acting directly on objects, this does not reduce the role of traction in human development.

2.2. Circular Reactions

According to Piaget, the child's movements cause changes in the environment, which in turn influence the child's subsequent movements.

Stages of Intelligence and Motricity:

• Sensorimotor Intelligence: 0–1 year
• Preconceptual Intelligence: 1.5–4 years
• Intuitive Intelligence: 4–8 years
• Concrete Intelligence: 8–12 years
• Formal Intelligence: 12+ years