Task H0007 11october

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School

University of New South Wales *

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Course

485

Subject

Psychology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by ChancellorElectron10813

Introduction Lifespan development refers to the changes and growth that individuals undergo from conception to death. It is a field of psychology that explores the different aspects of development, including physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. Developmental psychologists study these changes scientifically and try to understand how they occur, why they occur, and how they affect individuals' lives. There are various theories that explain lifespan development, and each theory contributes to our understanding of this complex process. Psychoanalytic theory, such as Sigmund Freud's theory, focuses on the unconscious mind and how it influences development. Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory emphasizes the stages of cognitive development that individuals go through. Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory highlights the importance of social interaction in cognitive development. The information processing view focuses on how individuals process and store information. Behavioral and social cognitive theories examine the environmental determinants of development. Ethological theories emphasize the role of biology and sensitive periods in development. In this project, I will explore my own lifespan development and connect it to the theories learned in the course. I will discuss my physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth, and identify important milestones that have shaped my development. The Aspects of the Life Span Perspective of Development The life span perspective of the human development is characterized by the complex approach to analyzing all the aspects of the people’s changes observed during different life stages. As a result, it is possible to speak about the multidimensional character of the approach because all the aspects are discussed in their connection. According to Berger, the human development presented as the life span is multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and plastic (Berger, 2011, p. 10-18). This statement means that it is irrelevant to discuss the human development as started at one point and moving to another one; or as dependent only on one context, including only the family or social status; or as dependent only on one culture.

The people’s development is the complex process because a person is influenced by a lot of environments, cultures, and situations during the life span. This person interacts with many people belonging to different cultures and ethnic groups and develops the specific personal traits during the whole life (Berger, 2011, p. 10). Each detail associated with the person’s life, such as the family, socioeconomic status, and character, matters to explain the aspects of the person’s life span development. Freud and Erickson’s Theories of Life Span Development There are many theories of the life span development which differ in criteria according to which psychologists determine different stages of the people’s life. Freud and Erickson’s theories are similar in focusing on the age-related steps, but they are different in criteria to state the fundaments for the stages’ progress. Thus, Freud’s theory depends on a range of psychosexual phases because the theorist is inclined to associate the man’s sexual nature with the psychological development. Freud concentrates on the childhood as the period when a child experiences some crises which determine the oral, anal, phallic phases, and the period of latency. These periods lead to the genital stage lasting during the adolescence and adulthood. According to Freud, the stages depend on the centers of pleasures important during different stages (Berger, 2011, p. 43-47). As a result, the human sexual nature is chosen as the criterion to propose the life span stages. Erickson’s theory is based on the social aspect. If Freud’s theory depends on psychological crises associated with the sexual development, Erickson’s theory depends on psychological crises associated with the people’s social interactions. Erickson states that people move through a range of stages during which they are impacted by the peculiarities of the environments and interactions with people.

People’s activities and behaviors during different stages are explained with references to their attitude to their society and personal interactions. As a result, at different stages, people are influenced by the conflicts between their identity or independent life and society which can be represented as the family, relatives, friends, and other people (Berger, 2011, p. 51). Interaction of the Heredity and Environment A person can be discussed as an individual only with references to the unique combination of the heredity and environment’s impact on his or her development. Today, scientists cannot provide the single opinion on the role of nature and nurture in the person’s development because it is impossible to state what factors affect the personal development drastically. Heredity makes people different in their appearance and physical qualities when nurture makes people different in their vision of the world, education, and lifestyle. It is important to note that nature and nurture are in ongoing interaction to affect the person’s individual development. The unique complex of the genetic material and environment produces a unique person who should be discussed only with references to combination of heredity and environment (Berger, 2011, p. 9). Inherited qualities should be combined with the environment’s impact to influence the individual’s development. Physical Development Physical development refers to the changes in an individual's body and physical abilities over time. It includes growth, motor skills, and changes in the body's structure and functions. Physical development is influenced by both genetics and the environment. During my early childhood, I experienced significant physical growth. According to Piaget's cognitive development theory, this period is known as the sensorimotor stage, which spans from birth to around 2 years old. During this stage, infants explore their environment primarily through their senses and motor actions. They start to develop basic motor skills, such as crawling, standing, and eventually walking.

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I recall my first steps, which were a significant milestone in my physical development. It was a thrilling experience to be able to navigate the world on my own two feet. This milestone marked my transition from being completely dependent on others for movement to becoming more independent. As I entered later childhood and adolescence, my physical development continued. According to Piaget's theory, this stage is the concrete operational stage, which spans from around 7 to 11 years old. During this stage, children develop more complex motor skills and gain a better understanding of how their bodies work. I remember participating in various sports activities during this time, such as soccer and swimming. These activities not only allowed me to develop my physical abilities but also improved my coordination and teamwork skills. According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, these activities provided opportunities for social interaction and learning from more skilled peers or coaches. During adolescence, I went through significant physical changes due to puberty. These changes, such as the growth of facial hair and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, were influenced by hormonal changes and genetic factors. This period of physical development is known as the puberty stage. According to the ethological theories, puberty is a sensitive period for development. It is a time when individuals experience rapid physical changes and are more prone to certain behaviors influenced by hormones and social pressures. For example, during this time, I started to become more aware of my appearance and how others perceived me. This led to changes in my socio-emotional development, which I will discuss in the next section. Cognitive Development Cognitive development refers to the changes in an individual's thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual abilities over time. It includes the development of perception, memory, language, and reasoning skills. Cognitive development is influenced by both biological factors and environmental experiences. During my early childhood, I went through Piaget's preoperational stage of cognitive development, which spans from around 2 to 7 years old. During this stage, children are egocentric and have difficulty understanding the world from another person's perspective. They also develop symbolic representation and engage in imaginative play.

I vividly remember the stage of imaginative play during my early childhood. I would create elaborate storylines and pretend to be different characters, allowing my imagination to run wild. This stage of cognitive development allowed me to engage in symbolic thinking and expand my creative abilities. As I entered later childhood and adolescence, my cognitive abilities continued to develop. According to Piaget's theory, this stage is the concrete operational stage, which spans from around 7 to 11 years old. During this stage, children become more logical and can understand conservation, classification, and other concrete concepts. I remember struggling with math concepts, such as multiplication and division, during this stage. However, with practice and guidance from my teachers, my understanding improved. This process aligns with Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and scaffolding in cognitive development. Through interactions with more knowledgeable individuals, such as teachers, I was able to acquire new knowledge and improve my cognitive skills. During adolescence, I went through Piaget's formal operational stage, which spans from around 11 years old and onwards. In this stage, individuals develop abstract reasoning skills and can think hypothetically and critically. This stage marked a significant milestone in my cognitive development. I remember being able to engage in debates and discussions during my high school years. I could consider different perspectives and evaluate arguments critically. This ability to think abstractly and critically has been invaluable in my academic and personal life. Socio-emotional Development Socio-emotional development refers to the changes in an individual's emotions, social relationships, and personality over time. This aspect of development is influenced by both biological factors and environmental experiences, including social interactions and cultural norms. During my early childhood, I was attached to my primary caregivers and relied on them for my emotional needs. This aligns with Bowlby's attachment theory, which states that infants form strong emotional bonds with their primary caregivers for survival and emotional support. As I entered later childhood and adolescence, my socio-emotional development was influenced by my increasing independence and social interactions. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, this stage is the stage of identity versus role confusion. During this stage, adolescents face the task of developing a sense of self-identity.

I remember going through a period of self-discovery and exploration during my adolescence. I tried out different activities, hobbies, and social groups to find my own identity. This aligns with Erikson's theory, which suggests that adolescents need to explore different roles and identities to develop a strong sense of self. This period of exploration and identity formation was crucial in shaping my socio-emotional development. During my adolescence, I also experienced the development of intimate relationships and the exploration of romantic feelings. According to Erikson's theory, this stage is the stage of intimacy versus isolation. During this stage, individuals seek to develop close and meaningful relationships with others. I remember experiencing my first romantic relationship during this time. It was a period of excitement, growth, and learning about myself and others. This experience allowed me to further develop my understanding of intimacy and develop important socio-emotional skills, such as empathy, communication, and compromise. Conclusion In conclusion, lifespan development is a complex process that encompasses physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes and growth. Various theories, such as psychoanalytic theory, cognitive development theories, behavioral and social cognitive theories, and ethological theories, provide different perspectives on understanding development. Reflecting on my own lifespan development, I can see how these theories have contributed to my understanding of the different aspects of my growth. Physical development milestones, such as walking and puberty, align with theories that highlight the role of biological factors and sensitive periods in development. Cognitive development, such as imaginative play in early childhood and abstract reasoning in adolescence, aligns with theories that emphasize cognitive stages and sociocultural influences. Socio-emotional development, such as attachment in early childhood and the exploration of identity and intimate relationships in adolescence, aligns with theories that highlight the importance of social interactions and cultural norms. Overall, my development has been shaped by a combination of biological factors, environmental experiences, and social interactions. Understanding the multiple theories of lifespan development provides a valuable framework for understanding and appreciating the complexity of human growth and development. Conclusion

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The life span perspective of the human development depends on the idea that people move through many stages during their life, but this movement should be discussed as the multidimensional process rather than as the linear movement. Such aspects as the interaction of nurture and nature can influence the person’s development significantly because various inherited qualities or life situations can affect the people’s life differently.

Task H0007 11october

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