Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology explains why people undergo different changes at different stages in their growth and how those changes come to happen. According to research, the proponents of human development’s psychology happens to be Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John B. Watson, who developed the discipline in the 18th century.
Many psychologists developed different theories; for instance, Erickson developed an eight-stage theory that clearly described the different stages of human development from childhood to maturity. Other theories developed include; behavioral Development theories, Cognitive Development theories by Piaget Jean, Bowlby’s theory of attachment that described the social development among children, the theory of social learning by Bandura, and a social-cultural theory developed by Vygotsky. In this paper, we will base our discussion on critically discussing the process of human development, focusing on the physical, mental and emotional growth that occurs from birth throughout adulthood.
According to Erickson, the way the caregivers and parents treat their children affects their mental and emotional development during childhood. The childhood stage, according to psychologists, lasts from birth to the age of 11. In his study, Erickson has suggested four major stages of human development between these childhood years; infancy, early childhood, pre-school, and school-age. In his study, he discusses how trust is important in forming healthy attachments, and this is backed up by other researchers like John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. As time goes by, the children start becoming autonomous though sometimes doubt and become shameful of their actions; they try to gain independence, which is a clear proof of physical development since most of them can walk, feed, and try to make some requests. In this early childhood stage, the parent or the caregiver can start training the child to go to the toilet to promote independence.
According to Piaget, children develop sensory motor cognitive skills during this period. Between childbirth and at least three years, the height is usually double, and other physical changes can be clearly noted, like sitting, crawling, and even standing up. Based on the attachment theory, from the age of one year, the child starts forming an attachment. They can tell who makes them comfortable or not. The socioemotional skills start developing, and the child starts forming friends who can resonate with his emotional needs.
Jean Piaget discusses that between the ages of 3-7 years, the children develop the memory and power of imagination. They work with symbols. According to Erickson, this is the stage of pre-school; the child is stable physically, and the cognitive capabilities like language start framing themselves. At this age, also they deepen their peer relationships and start forming perspectives. Children, at this point, depending on the genes they increase in height and weight.
According to Piaget, at the ages of 7-11, they become aware of external events and feelings. Their egocentrism reduces as they begin to apply rationality in thinking.
Emotionally they start developing pride in their accomplishments as they form deeper relationships. Sigmund Freud labeled this stage as the latency stage, for it was imperative to human development. At this stage, growth is slow and steady until the onset of puberty.
According to Erickson, the children face identity versus confusion at adolescence, which occurs between the ages of 12- 18 years. They try their own self-concepts in an attempt to become more independent and self-reliant. At this point, physical growth is rapid and notable; for instance, the puberty changes? Cognitively, adolescence brings a shift in how someone thinks and reason about problems. They develop more complex intellectual skills that systematically generate and test hypotheses, thinking, planning for the future, and even reflecting. Emotional development is at a peak at this stage. They are often faced with mood swings, hate, love, and other emotions as contributed by the hormones. If they fall into confusion or identity crisis, their emotions are tempered with this low self-esteem.
Success in human development, especially emotionally and cognitively whole depends on the adolescence stage. This next stage of being a young adult begins from the age of 19-40. Erickson calls it the stage of intimacy versus isolation. This is a critical stage for emotional development where human beings become more intimate and fail to become lonely. They shift the relationship with their parents into adulthood, disregard peer groups, develop empathy, develop the framework of their values, and establish their body image. Physically, people attain mature growth at this stage in height, weight, and secondary sexual growth. They develop a sense of responsibility in family, school, and work. They develop their autonomy and examine their decision-making skills. According to case studies, aging starts as early as 30 years; for example, the eyes’ lens starts stiffening hence affecting the vision.
Beyond the cognitive stages of development developed by Piaget, the scientists have also suggested another stage that occurs in adulthood called Post-formal Operational thinking, where situations and circumstances become vital in decision making while logic is integrated with the emotions. The intelligence holds steady as people age, and the ability to make wise decisions keeps improving.
Beyond the age of 40-65 years, the person struggles with generativist versus despair. Achievements make them celebrate, while failure results in despair and hopelessness. Emotionally, Riff and Singer notes that relationships with closer people have always become satisfying. The physique starts aging like wrinkles on the face, baldness, and many other features. During old age, the people look back, and a feeling of fulfillment displays wisdom while that of failure brings despair.
In conclusion, the human psychology of development when presented graphically. The socio-emotional, physical, and cognitive development are on the rise from childbirth, then becomes steady at young adults and finally deteriorates after maturity.