Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Ethological theories place a significant emphasis on the role of instinct and the importance of naturalistic observation in understanding human development. These theories draw on principles from biology and focus on the innate behaviors that individuals exhibit, which are often aligned with their evolutionary adaptations. Ethological theorists study organisms in their natural environments to understand how specific behaviors develop and function in real-life contexts.

The idea is that many behaviors are biologically driven and can be observed in natural settings. Researchers like Konrad Lorenz and John Bowlby highlighted how attachment and social behaviors have evolved to enhance survival. By using naturalistic observation, ethologists can gather data on how behaviors manifest in real life, providing insights into the timing and context of their expression.

While genetic inheritance is crucial in the development of individuals, ethological theories focus more on observable behaviors and instincts rather than solely genetic aspects. Additionally, environmental influences and socialization play important roles in development but are not the primary focus of ethological approaches, which concentrate primarily on instinctual behavior arising from evolutionary pressures.