Key Concepts in Lifespan Growth and Development

Lifespan Growth and Development

• Importance: Understanding lifespan development is vital, especially for healthcare majors.

Developmental Theories in Psychology

• Focus on three main areas of development:

  • Physical

  • Cognitive

  • Social Emotional

• Two classical theories to explore: Cognitive Development by Jean Piaget, and Social Emotional Development by Erik Erikson.

Piaget's Cognitive Development theory

• Key Concepts:

  • Cognitive development begins in infancy and continues through adulthood.

  • Development occurs through schemas, which are mental models that help us understand the world.

• Assimilation: Integrating new information into existing schemas (e.g., recognizing a Corvette as a car).

• Accommodation: Adjusting schemas when new information does not fit existing ones (e.g., learning that a truck is not a car).

Stages of Cognitive Development

1. Sensorimotor stage (0-2 years)

   • Understanding the world through senses and actions.

   • Milestone: Development of object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when not visible).

2. Preoperational stage (2-7 years)

   • Characteristics:

     • Egocentrism: Inability to see things from perspectives other than one's own.

     • Animism: Giving living qualities to inanimate objects.

     • Centration: Focusing on one aspect of a situation and neglecting others.

   • Conservation tasks illustrate limitations, e.g., believing a taller container has more liquid than a shorter, wider one.

3. Concrete operational stage (7-11 years)

   • Ability to think logically about concrete events.

   • Developments:

     • Decentration: Focusing on multiple aspects of a situation.

     • Reversibility: Understanding that actions can be reversed (e.g., pouring water back).

4. Formal operational stage (12 years and up)

   • Ability to think abstractly and hypothetically.

   • Development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and moral reasoning.

Erikson's Social Emotional Development Theory

• Key Concepts:

  • Emphasizes psychosocial development across the entire lifespan.

  • Proposes eight stages, each with a psychosocial crisis that must be resolved for healthy development.

Stages of Social Emotional Development

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy)

   • Infants learn to trust caregivers for needs.

   • Failure to achieve trust can lead to feelings of fear and frustration.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (toddlerhood)

   • Children develop a sense of personal control and independence.

   • Successful resolution leads to confidence; failure results in shame and doubt.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool)

   • Children assert themselves more frequently.

   • Successful resolution encourages initiative; failed resolution can lead to guilt.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority (school age)

   • Children start to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.

   • Negative experiences can lead to feelings of inferiority.

5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence)

   • Teens explore their independence and develop a sense of self.

   • Failure to achieve a stable identity can result in confusion and instability.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood)

   • Individuals seek deep connections with others.

   • Successful resolution leads to strong relationships; failure can mean isolation.

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)

   • Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them.

   • Successful resolution leads to a feeling of usefulness; failure leads to shallow involvement.

8. Integrity vs. Despair (late adulthood)

   • Older adults reflect on their lives and develop a sense of fulfillment.

   • Successful resolution leads to feelings of wisdom; failure results in regret and despair.

Recap

• Cognitive and social emotional development theories provide valuable insights into how individuals grow and adapt across different life stages.

• These theories highlight the importance of early experiences and relationships in shaping personality and cognitive skills.

Final Notes

• Both Piaget and Erikson's theories offer frameworks to understand human development across the lifespan.

• Recognizing different stages aids in identifying behaviors and potential challenges faced at varying ages.