Educational Progressivism, Technology And Self Improvement

Feldman’s description of development conforms to Hawkins’ (n.d.) design of the different systems symbolized by his concentric circles regarding the development of a person’s personality. According to Hart (1999), Wilson (2001), and Backus and Chapian (2000) to change the way one thinks it is necessary to effect change in one’s live because thoughts influence how events and other people are perceived. Everyone has different influences in their lives, from families to beliefs to economic situations; therefore, each person is a distinct and unique individual.

26) ‘these influences are intrinsic to human development’ and even of Bronfenbrenner (1972, p. 51) ‘with respect to human development, neither factor can exert an influence without the other’.

Erikson’s (1968, 1980, 1982) psychosocial stages of development provide a framework for the different stages of development throughout the human lifespan. These stages of development begin at birth and continue until death, and separate the lifespan into eight stages based on chronological age. Within these eight different aging stages are corresponding psychosocial stages. Each of these psychosocial stages represent a conflict between two characteristics of development for that particular time period in a person’s life.

* M1 Discuss the principal psychological perspectives applied to the understanding of the development of individuals

How does an infant develop into an adult? The answer is not as obvious as it seems. There are a variety of factors that contribute to human development. A person not only grows physically but also cognitively and socio-emotionally. This paper will explain two theories; one cognitive and one socio-emotional; about human development. The two theories will be described, compared, contrasted and individually evaluated based on the strong points and limitations.

Bronfenbrenner U. (1977). Toward an Experimental Ecology of Human Development [Electronic version]. American Psychologist, 32, 513-531.

Development of a person throughout his or her whole lifetime can be seen either as a continuous process or as a final status to be attained. Psychologists agree

Psychoanalytic theory explains about importance of unconscious motivation and early experience in development (Clarke, 2000).

Studying the Constructive Development Theory (CDT) also provided a foundation to identify where I fit on the spectrum of adult development. Constructive developmental theory is an eye opening explanation of how people make meaning at different stages of consciousness. This theory identifies numerous areas of human development that an individual may be “subject to” or “hold object.” Each phase of development designates twelve specific factors that humans will use to make meaning from. Analyzing how a person’s meaning making or pinpointing the factors they are “subject to” or “hold object,” helps us to define an individual’s Order of Mind. Jennifer Garvey Berger (1999) explains in her guide, Key Concepts for Understanding the Work of Robert Kegan, that “things that are Subject are by definition experienced as unquestioned, simply part of self” (p. 2). For me, this concept revealed that I was subject to my behavior and attitude regarding my personal time management. I considered my lack of

Good and bad experiences of early childhood shape our personality. The inner need to overcome inferiority is the drive for human behavior. Children grow up dependent on the parents, older siblings and sometime on some guardians, which causes feeling of inferiority among them. Their feeling to overcome this inferiority and become superior to others is the basic human drive for actions in all human beings. Those who are overwhelmed by the feeling of inferiority and never made to believe that they can act on their own are most venerable to the inferiority

The three theories I have chosen to discuss are all extremely relevant ideas; although I prefer Erik Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development. Erik Erikson’s theory covers a person’s entire lifespan showing the many different stages throughout one’s life. A person is always

Developmental Psychology has widened my perspective and knowledge of the nature of development from humans’ infancy to adolescence and emerging adulthood. Although I have learned about biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes and periods of development, I am especially interested in socioemotional development in infancy because it is the foundation for a child’s future development. That is to say, if children have a healthy socioemotional development from infancy, they will have a healthy life later on. By understanding the developmental process in infancy, I will be fully prepared when I have children or when my family’s members do.

This theory focused on how children socialize and how they develop their sense of self. This happens in eight distinct stages. I will only be discussing the ones that occur from birth to puberty. Each developmental stage has two possible outcomes. According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and successful interactions with others. Failure to successfully complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved successfully at a later time.

There is a large portion of the self-improvement industry today that is providing people with only these superficial and temporary 'feel good ' experiences and 'entertainment ' rather than true and enduring self-improvement and genuine self-discovery.

As a future educator there are many ideas or philosophies on how teachers should teach students. Students learn best when they are able to relate to the material that is being taught. Cohen (1999) writes, “This educational philosophy stresses that students should test ideas by active experimentation. Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise through experiencing the world” The curriculum is based on the needs, ability, and experiences that the student has. From the curriculum, teachers create lessons that influence their students to actively participate and encourage development. The teacher is merely an organizer who offers encouragement as well as prompting the students to use critical thinking skills by challenging them with questions. Students then use this skill to cooperate in groups as well as discuss view point that they may not agree with. This form of duel communication is a skill that allows the student to become more comfortable with their social skills as well as team working.