Introduction

The ability of an individual to grasp some educational knowledge is determined by several factors. The intelligence of a learner plays a vital role in ensuring that he or she can get the best out of his academic endeavours. The efforts by people to understand intelligence has prompted various definitions for the same. However, all the definitions are encircled ion the virtue of understanding and the ability to make rational decision. The measure of an individual’s intelligence quotient (IQ) helps to deduce his ability to grasp both academic and non-academic contents. Besides the IQ, there exist other theories that have a significant influence on the ability of a learner to understand and grasp various contents. The Vygotskian theory is a learning theory whose basic principles have significant effects on the learner’s academic endeavours. There exist several theories that try to evaluate the significance of early relationships in children. The attachment theory aims at evaluating the significance of such relationships and the psychological development in children.

The paper will explore the concept of intelligence and the role of various IQ tests in the provision of education to learners. The definitions and effectiveness of IQ tests in learning practice will be examined too. The essay will seek to examine the basic principles of Vygotskian theory and their influence on learning. The discussion of this concept will be based on the influence of the socio-cultural context and the role of the learner. Further on, the essay will explore the idea of mother language and its determinants. The merits and demerits of various theories that try to evaluate the concept of language development will be examined at length. The essay will try to evaluate further the relationship between the Attachment theory and its impacts on the children’s early relationships and their psychological developments. The basic claims of the theory will be explored, and their influence on the first relationships discussed. The type of bond that occurs between the child and the carer will be examined in the essay. Further on, the origin of emotions and the various theories that try to explain it will be categorically examined and discussed in this paper. Additionally, the issue of morality and its determinants will be further discussed. The IQ tests, Vygotskian and attachment theories have profound effects on the learning processes.

IQ Tests and their Role in Education

Intelligence quotient entails the measure of an individual’s relative intelligence with reference to standardized tests. There exist several different definitions for intelligence quotient and IQ tests. However, these definitions are circled on an individual’s ability to reason and make a constructive judgement. Intelligence is a unitary construct that determines the efficiency of problem-solving, learning and the performance of both complex and simple tasks (Lynn & Vanhanen 2002). Intelligence tests are cognitive tests that are designed to evaluate a variety of mental capacities and abilities such as reasoning and judgements. These tests have a significant role to play in the provision of education especially for children and the people with disabilities. The main purpose of such tests is to evaluate the individual’s intelligence potential and his ability to grasp educational contents. Different intelligence tests do exist, and hence different abilities are deduced. Commonly used intelligence tests include Stanford-Binet intelligence scales, Wechsler intelligence scale for children and Wechsler primary and preschool scale of intelligence. The Wechsler intelligence scale for children consists of various subtests that help to evaluate the children’s ability in various indexes such as verbal comprehension index, working memory index and, fluid reasoning index among others (Wechsler 1991). Intelligence tests that try to evaluate educational and academic abilities may not be effective as assumed. For instance, most of the tests produce a single intelligence score that cannot be used to evaluate and explain the concept of multidimensionality. IQ tests are important in education practice through various ways. For instance, through such tests different talents are exposed hence the ability to improve the educational opportunities. Additionally, IQ tests help to expose the mental strengths and weaknesses of children hence the ability to create all-inclusive education systems and curricula that can handle all the cases. The provision of special education is facilitated by the IQ test results. The mode of service delivery and instructions will be influenced by these results (Morison et al. 1996). The tests will also help to devise better and relevant educational approaches depending on the abilities of the learners.

Vygotskian Theory of Learning

Lev Vygotsky’s theory has a profound influence on learning practices. The theory is based on a number of major themes that play a significant role in learning and the abilities of a learner. The themes of social interactions, the more knowledgeable other (MKO) and the zone of proximal development (ZPD) have significant effects on learning activities (“Social Development Theory (Vygotsky) | Learning Theories,” n.d.). The principle of social interaction ascertains that the cognitive development of people occurs in two stages. The two stages include the aspects of cultural development and individual development. Vygotsky claims that before any child develops some individual mental tools, the environment in which he lives will significantly affect his cognitive development (“Vygotskian Approach – Tools of the Mind,” n.d.). This comprises the first stage of development whereby the cultural environment of the children will affect their thinking and ability to understand concepts. The second stage involves individual development that is characterized by an increase in mental tools and little influence by the environment. In such a scenario, the development of mind ensues, and the emergence of higher mental functions is initiated.

The existence of the more knowledgeable other will help the learner to grasp relevant skills and knowledge as early as possible. The social-cultural context of the learner will also affect the learner’s academic abilities. The learner mimics both the social and cultural practices which in turn influence his cognitive as well as understanding of concepts (Kozulin 2003). Both the internal and external factors will affect the ability of the learner to undertake education concepts. The individual cognitive development comprises the internal factors while the existence of the most competent is an external factor. A combination of the two factors will influence the educational abilities of the learner. The zone of proximal development is the zone whereby learning takes place. In this context, zone refers to the distance between a learner’s ability to perform a task under some guidance and his ability to independently solve a problem. The socio-cultural interactions help the learner to develop his characteristics based on the experiences he or she acquires from such set-ups.

The learning of mother language can also be explained using the Vygotsky’s theory. The main reason behind this claim is that the socio-cultural environment in which a child is born has profound effects on his growth and development. The child will automatically adopt various tools in his immediate environment that will in turn influence his ability to speak. Since the society around plays the role of the more competent, the child will be able to mimic the various aspects of speech from them. Further on, the language training that the child ids given by his superiors represent the Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development. As time goes by, the child can pronounce some words from his mother language and subsequently comprehends it. In this context, ther development of the mother language is influenced by nurture (Vialle et al 2000). This is because the three principles of Vygotsky’s theory are all geared towards nurturing the children’s ability to speak.

Language development is dependent on various factors that could either be innate or environmental. The environmental factors largely influence the development of language. Such environmental factors include education, medical and social issues (“Factors Influencing a Child’s Language Development | Everyday Life – Global Post,” n.d.). Living in an educational environment will help a child to develop and enrich his language. Certain medical disorders such as Autism will affect the development of language especially in children. Language development theories are Learning, Nativist and Interactionist. Learning theory claims that children imitate everything that they see and hear. The theory still argues that children learn from punishments and reinforcements. The nativist theory emphasizes the use of the language acquisition device by children to understand the rules of the language. Interactionist theory claims that the desire of a child to communicate influences the development of his language. The learning theory is advantageous in that it is based on the ability of the child to imitate the day to day occurrences in the environment.

Attachment Theory and Early Relationships

The attachment theory helps to evaluate the existing interrelationships between people. The theory is significant in the psychological development of the children as a result of their early interactions with the society. The theory highlights the various attachment patterns that exist and their impacts on early relationships. The attachment patterns could be secure, anxious-resistant insecure, anxious-avoidant insecure or disorganized (Simpson & Rholes 2015). Secure attachment implies that the child is securely attached to the caregiver or the parents and hence free exploration. This aspect is very significant in that the child will be able to get the first-hand care that will influence his psychological growth. The anxious-resistant insecure attachment is reflected in a scenario whereby the child is exposed to distress whenever the parent leaves and due to the existence of a stranger. The existence of such attachment will influence the emotional and psychological developments of the child. This is because the child will be able to mimic the actions and language of the carer hence executing them in his day-to-day actions. The carer in such a case represents a more competent party. The environment in which the attachment process is undertaking place will have some impacts on the development of the child.

Emotions in children can be examined through the use of various emotional theories. The emotional development in children is based on the various psychological upsets (Denham, 1998). Emotion is characterized by changes in facial expressions, thinking, nervous system and behavioural changes among others. Notable theories of emotions are James-Lange theory, cognitive appraisal theory and the two-factor theory (“SparkNotes: Emotion: Theories of Emotion,” n.d.). The two-factor theory ascertains that people get emotions due to physiological arousal and the environmental interpretation of it. The James-Lange theory suggests that emotions come about as a result of the perceived physiological responses. The development of emotion, in this case, is dependent on nature. The child physiological arousal of a child will force him to react with regard to the environmental and natural conditions around him.

Conclusion

The mental and cognitive abilities of people can be evaluated through various techniques. The use of IQ tests will help to evaluate an individual’s mental abilities. Through such tests, various cognitive aspects such as reasoning, rational judgements and understanding are explored. IQ tests play a significant role in the educational and learning practices. The ability to evaluate the mental abilities of learners will help to formulate better policies in the education system. The provision of special education is facilitated by the use of IQ tests. The principles of Vygotsky’s theory have significant effects on learning practices. For instance, the existence of socio-cultural contexts, more competent characters and zone of proximal development influences the learning aspects. Additionally, the existence of internal and external factors has significant effects on learning too. The attachment theory and its various patterns affect the early relationships in children by influencing their psychological status. Emotions involve changes in facial expression, understanding and behaviour change. Various theories have tried to explain the origin of emotions in children. For instance, the two-factor theory ascertains that people get emotions due to physiological arousal and the interpretations that they attach to it. The existence and application of these theories has help to understand various key human concepts such as learning and emotions.

Bottom of Form

Works CitedTop of Form

Denham, S. A. (1998). Emotional development in young children. New York: Guilford Press.

Factors Influencing a Child’s Language Development | Everyday Life – Global Post. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/factors-influencing-childs-language-development-6487.html

Kozulin, A. (2003). Vygotsky’s educational theory in cultural context.

Lynn, R., & Vanhanen, T. (2002). IQ and the wealth of nations. Westport, Conn. [u.a.], Praeger.

Morison, P., White, S. H., & Feuer, M. J. (1996). The use of IQ tests in special education decision making and planning: summary of two workshops. Washington, D.C., National Academy Press.

Simpson, J. A., & Rholes, W. S. (2015). Attachment theory and research: new directions and emerging themes. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=839676.

Social Development Theory (Vygotsky) | Learning Theories. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html

SparkNotes: Emotion: Theories of Emotion. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/emotion/section1.rhtml

Vialle, W., Lysaght, P., & Verenikina, I. (2000). Handbook on child development. Katoomba, N.S.W., Social Science Press.

Vygotskian Approach – Tools of the Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/vygotskian-approach/

Wechsler, D. (1991). WISC-III Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. San Antonio [Tex.], Psychological Corporation, Harcourt Brace Jovanobvich.

CLICK BUTTON TO ORDER NOW