The Epigenetic Principle and Success

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The Epigenetic Principle and Success

Human development can be described as an assembly line in the factory of life. Although we can try our best to understand the machines that propel the product down the line, all we know is what can be seen from outside the gates. There are several theories pertaining to how the factory operates, but we have no way of entering it. Some of the best theories come from Abraham Maslow and Erik Erikson who's conclusions relate well to the majority of humans. Maslow and Erikson both believe in a linear progression when it comes to human development. The main concept that binds these two theories are the epigenetic principle, which states that stages are mandatory, and must be met in order to proceed.

Abraham Maslow was a psychologist who had a humanistic approach to human development. Maslow believed that humans are internally motivated to achieve certain needs before others, this theory became known as the hierarchy of needs. The earliest and most widespread version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs emerged in 1943 and includes five motivational needs. These needs were placed inside a pyramid to illustrate that one need must be fulfilled to climb to the next. This five stage model can be divided into two categories, deficiency and growth needs.

The base and next three layers are all under the category of deficiency needs. The base of the pyramid is labeled physiological needs and includes air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex and sleep. These are all biological and physiological needs that must be met in order to move to the second level of the pyramid. “It is quite true that man lives by bread alone — when there is no bread. But what happens to man’s desires when there is plenty of bread an...

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... was that, as a teacher I need to take time to evaluate my students. Students who are acting out or committing acts like cheating are not inherently bad. In fact most kids that act like that are just crying for help. If I can make it my goal to listen for these cries for help, I can help my students with their own development. I hope that I can remember this as a move forward in my career and deal with issues similar to my own.

Bibliography

Boeree, George C., Dr. "Erik Erikson." Erik Erikson. Webspace.ship.edu, 2009. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

Cherry, Kendra. "Hierarchy of Needs." About.com Psychology. About.com, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

McLeod, S. A. (2007). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

McLeod, S. A. (2008). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik- Erikson.html.

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