Ethological perspective on human development

 As theory, ethological theory suffers from serious problems of verifiability. For example, what types of data can prove that a particular behavior ensures survival or the species?

There is also some question about generalizing from behavior patterns observed in animals to human behavior.

Moreover, while ethologists have provided many new concepts to the study of behavior and development, many of the terms–for example, critical periods and instincts–are not well-defined and are difficult to measure.

The ethological theory has helped expand the way we think about the causes of human behavior. 

While other theories cited in this chapter have emphasized either the immediate causes of behavior or the effects of early experience on later development, ethological theory finds explanatishare redevelopment in the evolution of the species.

These explanations help us to understand why certain behaviors are universal, and why other behaviors vary enormously from one social context to another.

It also helps us to accept that there may be limits to our ability to change certain aspects of human behavior.

It has also heightened our awareness of the concept of readiness, warning us that while the timing may not be everything in development, it often influences the magnitude of our effects on children’s behavior and development.

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