How does the organismic model view development?

How does the organismic model view development?

• A. It involves new stages and discontinuity, with the organism using cognition beyond stimulus-response.
• B. It treats development as solely learned through reinforcement.
• C. It denies any qualitative change.
• D. It emphasizes only genetic determinism.

Answer: (A)

Development is seen as a qualitative, stage-like reorganization of the whole person, where growth isn’t just more of the same but a transformation that brings on new abilities and ways of thinking. In this view, the mind doesn’t just learn through reinforcement or mimic simple stimulus–response links; it reaches new levels of cognition that weren’t present before. This means development proceeds through distinct stages, with abrupt changes in how the person understands and interacts with the world, rather than a smooth, line-by-line accumulation of experiences. Environment matters, but it operates within the organism’s own changing structure. The organism is an active agent, reorganizing itself as it encounters new challenges, leading to qualitative shifts in capabilities. This contrasts with the idea that development is only what is reinforced (a purely behavioral view), that there are no qualitative changes (a static view), or that genes alone determine everything (genetic determinism). The option that emphasizes new stages, discontinuity, and cognition beyond simple stimulus–response best captures the organismic perspective.

Development is seen as a qualitative, stage-like reorganization of the whole person, where growth isn’t just more of the same but a transformation that brings on new abilities and ways of thinking. In this view, the mind doesn’t just learn through reinforcement or mimic simple stimulus–response links; it reaches new levels of cognition that weren’t present before. This means development proceeds through distinct stages, with abrupt changes in how the person understands and interacts with the world, rather than a smooth, line-by-line accumulation of experiences.

Environment matters, but it operates within the organism’s own changing structure. The organism is an active agent, reorganizing itself as it encounters new challenges, leading to qualitative shifts in capabilities. This contrasts with the idea that development is only what is reinforced (a purely behavioral view), that there are no qualitative changes (a static view), or that genes alone determine everything (genetic determinism). The option that emphasizes new stages, discontinuity, and cognition beyond simple stimulus–response best captures the organismic perspective.