Recapitulation

Recapitulation is a concept that appears in various fields such as biology, music, psychology, and education. The term generally refers to the act of summarizing or repeating the main points of a subject.

Biology

In biology, recapitulation is often associated with the recapitulation theory, also known as the biogenetic law. This theory, proposed by Ernst Haeckel, suggests that the development of an embryo (ontogeny) passes through stages resembling the evolutionary history of the species (phylogeny). Although the theory has been largely discredited, it played a significant role in the history of evolutionary biology.

Music

In music, recapitulation is a section of a musical composition where the themes presented in the exposition are restated. This is a common feature in the sonata form, which is widely used in classical music. The recapitulation typically occurs after the development section and brings the piece to a resolution.

Psychology

In psychology, recapitulation refers to the idea that the development of an individual mirrors the evolutionary development of the human species. This concept was influenced by the work of G. Stanley Hall, who applied the principles of recapitulation to child development and educational psychology.

Education

In the context of education, recapitulation involves reviewing and summarizing previously covered material to reinforce learning and ensure retention. This technique is often used in teaching to help students consolidate their understanding of a subject.

Related Pages

• Ernst Haeckel
• Biogenetic law
• Evolutionary biology
• Sonata form
• G. Stanley Hall
• Child development
• Educational psychology