External theory is about the factors that affect the individual's physical and mental development, and social standard theory is about the purpose of education.

Foreign theories believe that human development mainly depends on external forces, while social standard theory holds that the purpose of education is determined by the needs of society, and all personal development depends on society. Education has no other purpose except to meet the needs of society.

The representatives of Waixue include Xunzi, Locke, Watson and Skinner, and the representatives of social standard theory include Plato, Durkheim, Kerschensteiner and others.