Robert Sears, A Renowned American Psychologist

Developmental psychology is the study of how human beings age and transform throughout the eight major stages of life. This paper will focus on the physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development of individuals found in stage two, (early childhood 1-6 year olds). Through exploring, and examining the countless influences that affect their growth development.

In regards to key developmental aspects of human growth in my life and as I integrate Erickson’s eight stages of development into my 48 years of life, I found that many of my transitional tasks were delayed, or not developed according to Erickson’s time frame. This might be due to the dysfunctional lifestyle, neglected childhood and promiscuous teenage years I had and it has taken me many years to develop my sense of identity, my sense of intimacy, and to change my behavior (Feldman, 2011). In the argument of Piaget he says that children at the age of three to five years think abstractly and this affects their motor

Stephen Correia is a psychologist in the state of Rhode Island. He started his education at Manhattenville College in Purchase, NY, but transferred after a year to University of Rhode Island. He graduated from University of Rhode Island in 1982 with an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Twelve years later he continued his education going back to University of Rhode Island. This time he was going for his graduate degree in Psychology. He graduated four years later with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. Right after, he pursued his Doctor of Philosophy degree continuing at University of Rhode Island. He graduated in 2001 for the third time from the University of Rhode Island with a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical

The theories/approaches established by historical and contemporary pioneers provide valuable insight, underpinning the understanding of how children develop, allowing teachers to enhance the holistic development of every child. This essay will analyse the: behaviourist theory; cognitive-developmental theory; and socio-cultural theory.

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

There are many theories of child development largely because many different people have studied the field for many years. Each theory has their different factors; biology, sociology, genetics, environment, and relationships are just a few of them. “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. ”! (Psalms 139:14).  One might ask the question: "If theories are so useful, why do we need so many?"  Having a multitude of theories allow us to see how children develop from a variety of

In determining a view of who man is and how he develops, it is important to look at the past, present, and future goals to determine how to best help the individual. In Behavioral Theory, a great emphasis is placed on “…understanding reinforcement contingencies operative in an individual’s past”, which then “makes it possible to implement different contingencies in the present and, thus, to change behavior” (Murdock, 2009). This can be very important because many times certain behaviors are learned from a very early age and it will be important of the individual to understand where that behavior stems from in order to make a change. Rational Emotive Behavior Theory “…postulates that humans are a product of both inherited influences and environmental teaching” (Murdock, 2009). This does place some of the human experience on being born a certain way and those things being harder to change. However, it does provide the balance that another portion of the

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

Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers are two psychologists who developed theories on personalities. Sigmund Freud was known as the “Father of Psychoanalysis” and his well known theory stated that nearly all psychological issues went back to a sexual problem. Carl Rogers was a humanistic psychologist who researched the personality theory in the notion of the self or the self concept.

Developmental psychology recognizes three main models of psychosocial and cognitive development. The first theory, presented by developmental psychologist and philosopher Jean Piaget, addresses cognitive development. The second theory, presented by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, focuses on the development of morality. The third theory, proposed by developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, outlines psychosocial development. All three theories are applicable from birth to death.

A wide variety of theories and methods attempt to explain early childhood learning and development. Erickson and Maslow both have theories that focus on social and personality development, as well as a person’s motivation to learn throughout their lives. Their theories are helpful in understanding Jeannette Walls’ development of self. Erickson and Maslow also help clarify why her mother, father, and living in New York City were such influential factors in the development of Jeanette’s sense of self.

Childhood development encompasses the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional changes from birth until the end of adolescence (White, Hayes & Livesey, 2013). Throughout childhood, environment and genetics promote or discourage growth and development. This essay will analyse the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional domains in relativity to my own development from the prenatal stage until adolescence. Psychological and environmental theories are used to develop the understanding and connection between each domain and stage of development. Lastly, this essay will address the controversial nature verses nurture debate and its relevance to my childhood development.

The development of a child is viewed from a number of different perspectives by several developmental theorists. While some say that development continues throughout the life, others would hold an opinion that children stop to develop as soon as they mature. Therefore, lifespan developmental theorists have focused on a number of areas while studying the development of an individual. Some of these areas include cognitions, social development, sexual development, moral development and more. Each of these theories is important in order to completely analyze the process whereby which a child matures and transitions into an adult.

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.

The behavioral perspective of development suggests that human development can be understood by observing how people behave in response to environmental stimuli. This theory denies distinct universal stages in development and insists that environmental factors influence how a person will change and adapt in their society. From this perspective, people will have positive developmental experiences if they grow up in a nurturing environment. B.F. Skinner introduced the operant conditioning theory which asserts that children develop in response to reinforcement or punishment (Feldman & Landry, 2014, p. 15). Reinforcement increases the likelihood of someone