I have to respond to this question in 200 words or more.
What might happen when a boy plays with action figure dolls? How does this behavior fit into theories of development?
I am studying Jean Piaget's theory of development so I am assuming I am supposed to answer this question based on his theory.
Here are a number of sites on Piaget's theories of play and the use of action figures.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=boy+plays+with+action+figure+dolls%2C+Jean+Piaget%27s+theory+of+development+&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15566935eed1501_1?cookieSet=1&journalCode=eed
http://ocw.tufts.edu/Content/35/lecturenotes/375938
http://www.pep-web.org/document.php?id=IJP.078.0115A
(Broken Link Removed)
When a boy plays with action figure dolls, several things can happen. Firstly, the boy may engage in imaginative play, creating storylines and scenarios for the dolls to act out. This allows him to develop his creativity and language skills as he narrates the actions of the dolls. Secondly, the boy may engage in social play, involving other children or even adults in the play with the dolls. This helps him develop his social skills, such as turn-taking, cooperation, and negotiation. Additionally, playing with action figure dolls can foster the development of fine motor skills as the boy manipulates the dolls' limbs and accessories.
In terms of Piaget's theory of development, this behavior can be understood through his concepts of assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation refers to the process of incorporating new experiences into existing mental structures, while accommodation involves modifying existing mental structures to fit new experiences. When a boy plays with action figure dolls, he assimilates the dolls into his pretend play schema, incorporating them into existing mental structures related to imaginative play. At the same time, he may also accommodate his schema by adapting it to fit the specific characteristics and features of the dolls.
Furthermore, Piaget's theory also emphasizes the importance of play in cognitive development. According to Piaget, play allows children to explore and understand the world around them. By playing with action figure dolls, the boy engages in symbolic play, representing real-life situations and characters. Through this process, he develops problem-solving skills, abstract thinking, and the ability to differentiate between reality and fantasy.
Overall, when a boy plays with action figure dolls, he engages in a variety of activities that contribute to his cognitive, social, and physical development, aligning with Piaget's theories on development.