Which theory posits that behavior is guided by hereditary factors but requires environmental stimuli and neural maturity for expression?

• A. Behaviorism
• B. Social Learning Theory
• C. Maturation Theory
• D. Cognitive Development Theory

Answer: (C)

Biological readiness and timing guide behavior, with the environment and neural maturity gating when and how those behaviors express. This view holds that heredity sets the potential and the pace of development, but actual expression depends on the nervous system reaching certain maturational milestones and on receiving appropriate environmental stimuli. So the behavior isn’t produced by environment alone or by cognitive processing alone; it emerges when biology prepares the organism and the right external cues are present.

That combination distinguishes it from other theories: behaviorism emphasizes learning from reinforcement and environment with little role for innate timing; social learning theory adds modeling and imitation but still centers on observed inputs rather than innate maturation; cognitive development focuses on internal reasoning and stages rather than the biological timing of expression.