HENRI WALLON (1) - AFETIVIDADE E INTELIGÊNCIA | TEORIA PSICOGENÉTICA

Summary

The video script delves into the work of Henri Wallon, a French physician, philosopher, and psychologist born in 1879 who passed away in 1962. Wallon’s research focused on child development as a way to understand the origins of human psychological processes, emphasizing an integral approach that considers cognitive, affective, and motor aspects. He argued for the importance of schools offering holistic education that fosters emotional, intellectual, and social growth. Wallon posited that intelligence emerges from affectivity and that psychological development is marked by discontinuities driven by both biological maturation and social interactions. His theories highlighted the interplay of internal and external stimuli, viewing crises as essential to growth, and underscored the social and expressive role of emotions in childhood development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Henri Wallon was a French physician, philosopher, and psychologist born in 1879, whose work focused on the study of child development.
• 😀 Wallon emphasized the **integral development** of children, covering cognitive, emotional, and motor dimensions, and rejected reducing development to just one aspect.
• 😀 He believed that schools should foster **affective, intellectual, and social** growth in students, offering a comprehensive education.
• 😀 One of Wallon's main contributions was the recognition of **affectivity** (emotional experience) as a key factor in cognitive development, often overlooked in earlier educational theories.
• 😀 Wallon distinguished between **genetic psychology** (the study of psychological development) and **genetic epistemology** (the theory of how knowledge is acquired).
• 😀 He argued that the development of **intelligence** follows the development of **affectivity**, with emotions and feelings fueling intellectual growth.
• 😀 Wallon highlighted the role of **crisis and conflict** in the intellectual development of children, seeing these challenges as necessary for growth rather than problems to be avoided.
• 😀 The child’s early **emotional expressions** (e.g., crying, gestures) play a crucial role in both communication and the development of cognitive abilities.
• 😀 Wallon believed that child development is shaped by both **biological factors** and **social influences**, with a constant interaction between the two.
• 😀 According to Wallon, the transition from **motor expressions** to **verbal communication** reflects the maturation of cognitive and emotional capacities in children.

Q & A

Who was Vallon, and what were his main areas of study?

Vallon was a French physician, philosopher, and psychologist, born in 1879 and passed away in 1962. He dedicated his career to studying child development, believing it to be the key to understanding the origins of human psychological processes.

What was Vallon's perspective on the development of children?

Vallon viewed child development as an integrated process that involved cognitive, emotional, and motor dimensions. He rejected theories that reduced human development to only one of these aspects, arguing for a holistic approach.

What is the significance of affectivity in Vallon’s theory?

Vallon argued that affectivity, or emotional development, plays a crucial role in education. He believed that schools should provide not just intellectual training, but also affective and social formation, highlighting the importance of emotional growth in the development of a child.

How does Vallon distinguish between genetic psychology and epistemological genetics?

Vallon focused on genetic psychology, which studies the origins of psychological processes, while epistemological genetics, developed by Piaget, examines how individuals construct knowledge. Both are related but not identical in their focus.

How does Vallon integrate biological and social influences in his theory?

Vallon believed that psychological processes have an organic, biological origin but are shaped and developed through social and environmental interactions. His method of study considers both the organic conditions and the social demands that influence human psychological development.

What role do crises and conflicts play in child development according to Vallon?

Vallon suggested that child development is not continuous but marked by discontinuities, including crises and conflicts. These are seen as normal and essential for development, as they emerge from the maturation of the nervous system and changes in the social environment.

What is the relationship between affectivity and intelligence in Vallon’s theory?

Vallon proposed that intelligence develops after affectivity. He argued that emotional experiences and interests are necessary for intellectual growth, with conflicts between the two influencing cognitive development.

What role does emotional expression play in early childhood development?

In Vallon’s view, emotional expressions, such as crying or facial gestures, are vital for communication and social interaction. These expressions help ensure that adults respond to the child's needs and are key to both emotional and cognitive development.

How does Vallon explain the connection between motor activities and emotional development in children?

Vallon emphasized that motor activities in infants, such as gestures and physical movements, are not just expressions of emotion but also contribute to emotional development. As children grow, they develop more sophisticated ways of communicating, such as using words, reducing their reliance on motor actions.

What is the importance of the first two years of life according to Vallon?

Vallon viewed the first two years of life as critical because infants are in a state of complete biological dependence, requiring emotional and physical care from others. This period forms the foundation for later emotional and cognitive development.