How was the work of G. Stanley Hall influenced by Darwin’s evolutionary theory? Describe Hall’s recapitulation theory of development.
Hall was interested in evolution from the very beginning. Hall believed that like evolutionary stages the mind also develops in the same manner. Hall applied the evolutionary concepts in psychology, which generated his interest in child psychology.
Hall did a lot of work on child psychology. He initiated the child study movement. He is known to conceptualize the theory of recapitulation. This theory suggests that children report the life history of the human race while growing up. Children grow from an infant stage to adulthood, which is a civilized state.
His theory links genetic psychology and education. In elaborate terms, this theory sheds light on the fact that each individual goes through some psychic, and somatic changes just like the process of evolution.
Hall said that during adolescence a person truly gains education. Reasoning powers begin developing but are still in the dormant stages. The child can now understand kindness, morality, and providing services to others.