The Psychology Book

IN CONTEXT

APPROACH

Social constructivism

BEFORE

1860s Francis Galton sparks debate about whether nature (innate ability) or nurture (upbringing) has the most influence on personality.

AFTER

1952 Jean Piaget argues that the ability to absorb and process information develops through interaction between children’s innate talents and their environment.

1966 Jerome Bruner suggests that any subject can be taught effectively to a child at any stage of development.

1990 American educational psychologist Robert Slavin designs his Student Teams Achievement Divisions (STAD)to promote more collaborative learning, and downgrade competitive, winner—loser approaches ...