HR help on: Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology talks about the psychological changes that we undergo throughout our process of development. I have noticed that a thing which seemed to be right at the age of 5 may not seem to be correct at the age of 15. The change in the thought process is due to the change in the thinking pattern that is taking place continuously. Many researchers tend to say that the way we have grown up will decide on the psychology that we will portray with us.Theories that are related to lifespan development
Erikson’s stages of development theory throws light on the various stages that a person goes through in a lifetime. The first stage is from birth to that of 18 months and this is the stage that teaches trust v/s mistrust. This is the time when a child builds a relationship with the world and it is the responsibility of parents to explain the kids that this world is a nice place to live. The second stage, autonomy v/s shame, starts from 18 months to 3 years. During this stage, kids are trained to be hygienic and they also try to be independent to a great extent. Kids at this stage should learn the art of speaking so that they can build a great willpower for the future. If kids aren’t trained properly during this time then they will have to face the whole world with shame in the future. The third stage is, between 3-5 years of age, Initiative v/s guilt. This stage allows the kids to learn new things and if they aren’t able to achieve anything new then that will lead to guilt. The fourth stage is, between the age of 6-12, industry v/s inferiority. At this stage, kids become capable enough to develop things on their own. If they are able to create new things then they mix with the industry or else they tend to develop an inferiority complex. This stage is influenced by parents, neighborhood and friends. The fifth stage is, between the ages of 12-18, identity v/s role confusion. During this stage, one is neither an adult nor a kid so they are confused regarding the things that they need to do and not to do. One can create an identity for oneself and if they aren’t able to do this then they tend to be very confused with the things that they are willing to achieve. The sixth stage of development is, between the age of 18-35 years, intimacy and solidarity v/s isolation. During this stage, people tend to look for a partner with whom they can share their problems. If a person is not able to find a suitable partner at this stage then they feel isolated for a lifetime. The seventh stage, is between the age of 35-55, generative v/s self absorption or stagnation. This is the time period when a person tends to grow so he tries to find more meaningful work in life. If one is not able to do something productive then the life becomes stagnant for them thus, leading to frustration and various health concerns in the future. The final stage is, between the ages of 55 till death, ego integrity v/s despair. During this stage, a person fears death and if they feel that they have achieved everything in life then they get a sense of integrity otherwise, they feel despair for the things that they have missed out (Shaffer, K, 2010).Kohlberg also developed a theory to understand the moral development process that a kid goes through. The first stage is obedience and punishment orientation and at this stage, kids tend to learn reasoning. At this stage, the kids will blindly follow the orders that have been given to them by their parents. Kids at this age give reasons for everything that they do. If a kid steals anything then they will give reasons like they were hungry or they will say that they won’t do that because god will punish them. Stage two is termed as individualism and exchange. This stage will allow the kids to grow more than they were at the first stage. Now, kids understand that an individual’s requirement may be different than that of the other and at the same time, they also believe in exchanging things that they have. They develop a faith that if they want something then they will have to give something that they have to others. Stage three is termed as good interpersonal relationship and this is the time when they enter their teens. Kids become friendly with people of this age. Before this age, kids don’t understand the importance of interpersonal relations but that is not the case anymore because they find themselves lonely when they don’t have people with whom they can share their problems and happiness. Maintaining the social order is the fourth stage. At this stage, adults try to maintain social relationships with people around. They know that they will have to obey the rules of the society so that people can accept them. At this age, one tries to understand the laws and legal issues that can arise if they don’t obey the rules. Stage five is a social contract and individual rights. At this stage, people have a lot of experience in life and hence, they understand about the good and bad that is happening in the society. They have a mindset to achieve a perfect society and hence, they try to use all the experiences that they have gained. Stage six is termed as universal principles and if all the above stages in life are passed then the universal principle stage will be very peaceful and relaxing. During this period, people will actually understand the requirement of people around them. People believe that social justice is one of the most important things that need to be achieved so they strive hard to achieve that (Crain, 1985).Another theory which gained a lot of popularity for psychological development is Jean Piaget’s Cognitive development. This theory speaks exclusively about the kids. Kids have a process set in their mind and if they realize that things aren’t happening as per the process set then disequilibrium occurs and then they learn to adjust the new thing so that equilibrium can be achieved again. Kids know certain things, like sucking or reacting to the touch when someone touches them, even before they are born as they learn these things from the genes. There are four ways by which a kid tends to learn new things that are happening in the environment. First is the sensorimotor stage; in this stage, they understand basic things like the part of them and they also understand the parts which don’t belong to them. The second stage is, between the ages of 4-7 years, preoperational stage. At this stage, they give an explanation to things that they would like to remember; these logics cannot be understood by adults. Third is the concrete operations stage and this is undertaken by kids between the age of 7-11 years. At this age, they go to school, and hence they are able to grasp things that are actually happening in the environment. Then the final stage for kids between the age of 11 years and more is formal operations. Formal operations allow the kids to understand the logics that prevail so this is the stage wherein kids start being matured as adults (Slee, 2012).
Critique of various developmental theories
There are various concepts which govern developmental psychology. We should understand the basics of this and if I am dealing with a kid then I can use these things for their growth. Certain problems were noticed in the developmental psychology but nobody is actually able to answer it perfectly. Nature and nurture has a confusing role to play. This can be best explained with the environment and heredity example as environment or genes cannot exist in the absence of another and so is the case with nature and nurture. The way the kids are taught to behave will have an influence on their nature and at the same time, the way the people in the surroundings behave also matters a lot. Many researchers had questioned the balance that needs to be created but others strongly defended by stating that the balance cannot be created as it completely depends on an individual on how they grasp things. The research also stated that a split between both the things is not possible. Nature doesn’t create a direct effect on the behavior of an individual but it influences the person to take certain decisions at some or other point of time.
Continuity and discontinuity are other factors that influence the developmental psychology. Looking at a person, it can be said that over the years, certain things have changed and certain things are still the same. Weight and other physical factors of the person tend to change with age and this change cannot be stopped. For example, a person at the age of 5 likes to play football and if at the age of 15 also, he likes to play football then it can be stated as continuity and if he stopped playing football at the age of 15 then it can stated as discontinuity. Continuity and discontinuity happen for various reasons. A young kid may not be having sexual feelings in him but an adolescent develops that in him so this is discontinuity and it cannot be stopped at any point for any reason. A bad experience while performing certain task will stop a kid from undertaking that particular task in the future and this is one of the major reasons for discontinuity.With continuity and discontinuity comes stability – instability. People cannot stay alone and hence, they are with each other in groups. A different balance between nature and nurture is created for different people and hence, the thought process of two childhood friends may not be the same at the age of 15. If two people who have been childhood friends are friends till their teenage then it can be said that stability exists and if their thought process has changed then it can be stated as instability (Bornstein, L, 2011).
Personal responses in developmental milestone
Having a proper family is a must otherwise it can create a great impact in the person’s life. Initially, when a kid faces family problems then they become too stressed but with time, they learn to cope with things that are happening in their surroundings. Kids who have a lot of family problems will react to situations in a different manner than that of kids who are born and bought up in a loving and nurturing environment. Moral emotions of a person are designed as per the culture that their parents follow. A certain norm may be assumed to be wrong in a household and it may not be given due importance in another household. If a person whose culture states that he is doing something wrong then he will feel guilty for whatever he has done and at the same time, the other person may just ignore that thing. The social behavior of an individual is also influenced by the teachings of parents. It was also noticed that girls are good with social relationships and this is because most females in the household are friendlier than that of males in the family. The daughter at a young age tends to learn that a female has to be softer than that of the male counterparts in the society. If parents tend to grow apart then this creates a lot of the mental impact on the kid. Kids, who had seen the violence of mother or father, ignore relationships. They believe that this world isn’t a safe place and the only way to stay alive is to protect oneself from others. There are various ways by which a kid can be taught to follow the set rules and regulations. If a kid is taught things by being beaten or any other harsh way then these kids, when grown up, becomes very angry at small things. At the same time, if a kid is trained with a lot of politeness and love then they tend to take care of their parents when they require them at any point of time in life (George).The theories are based on the experiences that researchers had. If a person takes a look and the psychological development then they will realize that these things are happening in real as well. Erikson’s theory allows an individual to understand the life stages that they have passed through and the stages that they will have to face in the future. If a kid is 13 years old then his parents should allow him to understand the basics that will help him to shape his life in such a way that he can be happier rather than that of regretting later in life. If a kid is being hit by his parents for every small mistake that he does then after a certain point of time, the kid will lose confidence in self and he will get a feeling that he is inferior to that of his friends. Parents should motivate their kids to achieve things that they love. Many parents actually force their kids into a career wherein they can make lots of money. The kids may initially take up that job for their parent’s happiness but later, on or after the age of 35, they feel bad and lonely. At the same time, if a person is too much involved in pursuing a career then they don’t find time for their partner and family. There is a right time for everything in life. As per Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, it can be stated that libido needs to be used in the proper amount at the proper place so that the future can be secure. If a person puts too much time in pursuing a career then they will miss out on marriage or other pleasures of life thus, making them feel lonely. After the age 55, one should be happy that they have achieved all that they want rather than regretting about things that has been missed out.Interrupted development
Many parents tend to be worried because of the interrupted development problem that their kid is facing but parents need to understand that it is very much normal and they should deal with it tactfully rather than that of getting irritated and frustrated at the kids. Kids have a short-term memory and this is one of the major reasons for the interrupted development. They tend to forget things that have been taught to them a few days or hours ago. If a kid is trying to do something that isn’t taught to them by their parents then there are possibilities that they are learning new things from people around. They should be communicated regarding the right and wrong that they are doing so that they don’t repeat faults (BabyCentre, 2008).Every parent should understand developmental psychology so that the kids can have a great future. The things that parents give, during the initial stages of life, is reflected in a person’s behavior for the rest of their life. Improper planning by parents will make the kids stubborn and angry thus, making them a spoilsport in their life. Parents should also remember that the future of a kid is in the hands of parents only.
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