Genetic psychology, what is and what studies 6 characteristics

Genetic psychology is a branch of psychology that is responsible for the genesis of human behavior.

His name has nothing to do with genes, but with the genesis of the development of human functioning, from the perspective of Piaget, one of the pioneer thinkers in this branch.

Content

• Genetic psychology
• The characteristics of genetic psychology
• Epatas of cognitive development
  • Bibliography

Genetic psychology

The birth of genetic psychology is due to Jean Piaget (1896-1980), who has been one of the most notable psychologists in the study of biology and psychology.

Their contributions are considered as the foundations of an amount of investigations that have subsequently developed.

As Paulina raises. Arias Arroyo, in his study on the analysis of Jean Piaget's psycho-genetic theory, this theory was born due to Piaget's need to answer epistemological questions, specifically those related to the origin of knowledge.

Piaget does not focus only on discovering how knowledge arises, but focuses on following its evolution. And this is how genetic epistemology arises later, as a discipline on the processes of change of the least knowledge states to those most advanced.

This development of knowledge is understood as several processes or events that you intervene in the changes and that is giving in stages that reflect the growth and maturation in the learning of the individual.

Therefore, it is stated that The object of study of genetic psychology is the analysis of such processes And, one of the areas that are given greater relevance is that of child development to try to understand what happens in the mental structures of the children, which are transformed with more complexity until they reach adolescence.

From this position of genetic psychology it is considered that man develops throughout several organizations that are overcome until reaching the next stage.

The factors that arise in the development process are maturation, the exchange with the environment, the influence of the medium on the subject and self -regulation.

In this sense, genetic psychology is interested in knowing what the interaction between these factors that enables the development of individuals is like.

The characteristics of genetic psychology

Among the main characteristics of genetic psychology are the following:

1. It is diachronic: Well, his study focuses on development processes over time;
2. It is explanatory: unlike other disciplines that are descriptive;
3. It is based on synthesis and the analysis of the information obtained from their research;
4. It is based on an approach that is not linear;
5. It is based on epistemology, unlike other sciences that use empirical methods;
6. It is systematic and not reductionist;

The greatest emphasis of Jean Piaget's genetic psychology is the empirical and clinical study of child development.

That is, it analyzes how the human being interacts with the environment, through cognitive structures, to give way to a development that goes from simple ways to more complex ones and that, at each evolutionary stage, allows him to adapt to the environment.

One of the most important concepts in the theory of genetic psychology is that of mental structures, which are defined as units that are part of the intellect and that, depending on the age and experiences of the individual, are changing.

Similarly, the notion of cognitive functions is also relevant, these are understood as the intellectual processes that all people possess and through which they obtain knowledge. As for the processes, these are four.

It is considered that there is an organization process, in which cognitive structures are categorized and coordinated; In addition, there is an adaptation or adjustment process; an assimilation process, which allows the incorporation of novel information and a accommodation process, or readjustment from the new information.

Epatas of cognitive development

In the theory of genetic psychology, the stages of cognitive development are also important, which are the following:

• Sensoriomotriz: which begins from birth to two years of age. At that stage, the infant interacts with the environment with a reflex way and acquires the notions of space, object, action and time.
• Pre-Operational: that goes from the age of two to seven years, when the little ones begin to use symbolic language. This is expressed through drawings, spoken language, symbolic games and mental images. Egocentrism is abandoned and the idea of ​​permanence is acquired.
• Concrete operations: that covers the age of seven to eleven. That is when logical operations begin, supported by elements of reality. The child becomes a social being.
• Formal operations: From eleven years onwards. At this stage, adolescents have the ability to do logical operations based on abstract objects. There is a progressive development in your personality, as well as an integration of attitudes and values.

The aforementioned stages are very important for genetic psychology, because, as emphasized, this branch or discipline is responsible for studying the development of the stages learning process.

Child Psychology: Education, Development and Disorders

Bibliography

• Arroyo, p. TO. TO., Zurita, m. M. M., & Arequipa, C. R. P. (2017). Analysis of Jean Piaget's psycho-genetic theory: a discussion contribution. Domain of Sciences, 3(3), 833-845.
• Coll, c. (1983). Genetic Psychology and School Learning. Madrid, 21st century.
• Merani, a. L. (1962). Genetic psychology. Grijalbo.
• Piaget, j., & Battro, to. M. (1973). Genetic Psychology Studies. Buenos Aires: Emece.