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Research essay on lifespan development theories
Research essay on lifespan development theories
Concepts of lifespan development
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Many different aspects affect the development of an individual. Accordingly, from the inception to the death of an individual, the character growth is dependent on diverse facets. As such, there are different theories that focus on explaining the development of an individual. The lifespan development theories are highly important towards making a descriptive mandate of the development of an individual. Lifespan development theories aim on describing the individual behavior character and other facets throughout the different phases or years of an individual. There are numerous theories that aim towards the explanation of an individual’s development and character. Ecological theories, Piaget’s development theory, Ethological theory, social cultural …show more content…
Accordingly, many of the theorists have based their studies in respect to biological, behavioral, cognitive and spiritual growth of humans. These aspects have greatly revolutionized the study of human growth across the various cycles. Hence, theorists such Freud, Jung, Erickson Piaget and so forth have formed a base to the various individuals that use their studies for reference and knowledge (Westphal & Bartone 2008). Their theories further focus on the ontogenesis coupled with the dynamics of mastering the various skills and abilities. Furthermore, there is emphasis on the growth of an individual from inception to death. Further, they state that the various difficulties and hurdles that humans face in the cycle are based on their lack of keenness and care on resilience. This concept that was developed in recent years is focused on the various obstacles and the differentiating factors of the cycle of life. From the instance of conception to death these difficulties present themselves. Conclusively, they include inferiority complex, ego inferiority and so forth. These issues span across the various stages of
Erikson’s theory, developed in 1963, supports the idea that early life experiences impact an individual across their lifespan. This theory considers that the growth of an individual is a result of interaction with the environment, biological maturation and societal influences, therefore, allowing for experiences from early life, to influence an individual throughout their lifespan (White, Hayes, and Livesey, 2009). Erikson’s theory focuses on eight different developmental stages within a lifespan and in order to progress from one stage to another, an individual must overcome a potential crisis of two opposing forces at each stage. There are two types of resolution of each stage, successful and unsuccessful. If an individual is
The process of change during the human lifespan is referred to as human development. This process is studied and observed by Developmental Psychologists to understand how different experiences in our life alter our course of development. The Biopsychosocial perspective analyzes how biological, psychological, and social factors affect our developmental course that we call life.
My observations included watching my neighbor’s children on their trampoline. When I was observing, I noticed a lot of developmental differences between the oldest and youngest siblings. The oldest was a 6-year-old girl jumping on her trampoline. I could tell the girl was very passionate towards her workout. The first 5 minutes of my observations included her being by herself, while her younger brother was playing in the grass with his red truck and train. His full attention was on his toys for a while. I never realized how focused some kids can actually be.
When studying human development, it is helpful to understand the main developmental domains (i.e physical, cognitive, emotional and moral) and the ways in which people develop within each domain at certain age stages. Use of psychological theories is also helpful to understand the reasons for this development and the ways in which it manifests at different age stages. The objective of this essay is to analyse the influences on development from conception to late adolescence. It will describe theories of lifespan development with information regarding my own development used to support these theories. It will be concluded that theories of lifespan development can be used to explain life experiences in the different developmental domains at different
Berger, K. (2011). The developing person through the life span. (8th ed., pp. 39-42). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Eric Erikson was one of the most famous theorists of the twentieth century; he created many theories. One of the most talked about theories is his theory of psychosocial development. This is a theory that describes stages in which an individual should pass as they are going through life. His theory includes nine stages all together. The original theory only included eight stages but Erikson‘s wife found a ninth stage and published it after his death. The nine stages include: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. identity confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair, and hope and faith vs. despair (Crandell and Crandell, p.35-36)).
When people experience different situations in life, they learn from them and grow as a person. This is effectively exemplified in Frank McCourt’s memoir, Angela’s Ashes. During his childhood, McCourt undergoes many experiences that cause him to lose his innocence and that cause him to be more mature when making decisions. Through his memoir, Frank McCourt demonstrates personal growth through the different experiences he faces.
This approach has become the stimulus for a number of similar theories which share the same assumptions on psychological development, yet differ in detail. (Gross, R, 2007) Erik Erikson, a neo-freudian himself accepted Freud’s theory but whereas the psychodynamic approach focuses on five main stages of development until adulthood, Erikson theorised that development is lifelong and continues throughout life until death. (Psychology for A Level 2000)
Today’s theory on development called The Life Course Perspective or Life Course Perspective examines an individual’s lifespan within a structural, social and cultural context. It examines how their history, to include transitions, affected thei...
The Adult Learning Theories Essay assignment provides information on how learning takes place throughout different stages in life. The topic begin with how learning take place in humans, how one develops throughout various stages in life, the learning process, and blending adult learning and development experiences. The course content requires mastery because learning never ends once it begins at birth. The importance of knowing what is learned in each stage of life builds upon what is already learned which will lead to the next stage of development.
Individuals’ life and personal experiences play an important role in one’s development. As a matter of fact, the path from infancy to adulthood can be shaped by many factors that happen during the individual’s life. According to Drewery and Claiborne (2010), human development is an area of study that seeks to analyse and understand how ongoing changes affect people’s life and their development. There are many theories around human development, yet all of them share the notion that there are several universal stages that take place in every individual’s development: childhood, adolescence and adulthood (Drewery & Claiborne, 2010). This current essay aims to explore and analyse one of the three life stages that characterised human development:
For my reflection paper I chose to write about chapter 9 that talks about lifespan development. This chapter grabbed my attention and I found it most interesting. In the textbookit discusses how there are certain factors that uncontrollably make us who we are. Those factorsare "unique combination of genes you inherited from your biological mother and father. Another is the historical era during which you grew up. Your individual development has also been shaped by the cultural, social, and family contexts within which you were raised." (Pg.352) The patterns of our lives are because of developmental psychology. "Developmental psychology is a scientific approach which aims to explain growth, change and consistency though the lifespan. Developmental
... conclusion maturational theorist Arnold Gesell believes that a child will develop biologically and their environment has little involvement in a child’s development. Through a numerous of conducted experiments, he was able to put together and create a schedule of when milestones will occur which is known as the ‘Gesell Developmental Schedule’ where he was able to compare a child’s development to the standard norm. He also created the “Gesell Maturational Theory’, where heredity is of much more importance in their growth and development than the child’s nurturing environment. Gesell’s maturational theory is seen yet till today in a child’s everyday lives, from the time they are in the foetus till our adult life. His theory displays both strengths and weaknesses and other theorists challenging his theory but the debate between nature versus nurture will always arise.
Erikson’s stages has given me a chance to examine my life from birth in diverse stages. The channel of life that I have gone through from my early childhood and most parts of my adult life. Erikson’s psychosocial development has helped me to understand the changes as I go through life. Erikson stages is a set of guide to pave my way in to adulthood. I have learn that each stage is a form of representation of a foundational shift of life. Erikson’s psychosocial theory discovers that our development normally proceeds throughout nine developmental stages that have a moral concept of life itself.
Each person’s life consists of normal stages of development; this is known as life span development. This development starts at infancy and continues through death. In each stage of development, each person experiences four types of development; physical, cognitive, social, and personality.