,
, Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
Pre-assessment Strategies
Competency 154.1.1: Perspectives and Theories
Theories of Development Study questions:
What are the key assumptions of the following theoretical perspectives?
A theory is an interrelated, coherent set of observations and ideas that help explain phenomenon.
Psychoanalytic and psychosocial theories- The psychoanalytic theories focus primarily on
the role of unconscious forces in understanding human development. Psychoanalytic
theorists also stress that early experience, particularly experiences with parents, shape
development.
o Freud (Psychosexual) o
Erikson (PsychoSocial)
Emphasis on Psychosocial
Lifespan- 8 stages; from infancy to late adulthood
Stages, discontinuity
Crisis- turning point
• Trust v. Mistrust o First year o
Warm, consistent care
• Autonomy v. Shame, Doubt o
Second year
o Independence: During this time, infants or toddlers are developing independence
and control in regard to their own body and impulses.
o Overprotected or overly critical- feelings of shame and doubt. Excessive
overprotection or overly critical parenting can lead to the experience of shame or
doubt in their own abilities.
Patience is key for caregivers during this stage, as children exercise their own
will.
• Initiative v. Guilt o 3-5 year
old: engage in active,
purposeful, and responsible
behavior.
o Making things happen: They discover they are persons in their own right, and
they use their new skills and perceptual, motor, cognitive, and language abilities
to make things happen.
, o Wider social world: They really enjoy interacting with their wider social world.
Feelings of guilt may arise though if the child is irresponsible or is made to feel
too anxious.
• Industry v. Inferiority o 6-12 years old
o Mastering knowledge, skills, and abilities: This stage coincides with the beginning of
formal education in many cultures.
The negative outcome that’s possible here is that the child may develop a
sense of inferiority if they feel incompetent or unproductive.
o Role of parents, peers, and school: So sensitive caregiving and sensitive responses
from educators is important for positive development during this time.
• Identity v. Role Confusion o Adolescence: During the adolescent years, teenagers
are figuring out who they are, what they are, and where they’re going,
o What is Identity? (Self-portrait) It is composed of many pieces. Values, beliefs,
goals, ideals.
• Intimacy v. Isolation o Early adulthood (20s and 30s)
o Experience the crisis or turning point of intimacy v. Isolation, is forming an intimate
adult partnership.
If young adults form healthy friendships and an intimate relationship with
another, intimacy will be achieved.
Erickson describes intimacy as finding oneself while losing oneself in another
person and it requires a commitment to that other person.
o Earlier to develop an intimate relationship in early adulthood may result in isolation.
Now take a moment to think about how the prior stages, and how the prior
stages were resolved, may impact development at this stage.
Intimate relationships are dependent on a good sense of who you are, or
identity, and a willingness to trust others.
• Generativity v. Stagnation o Middle adulthood (40s, 50s)
By generativity, Erickson means primarily a concern for helping the younger
generation to develop and lead useful lives. Or another way of saying that is
a sense of leaving a legacy.
Generativity can be expressed in many different ways, by parenting and
guiding your own children, or through work that feels impactful to you.
Other adults may experience generativity by service to their community or
through creative or artistic endeavors.
The feeling of having done nothing to help the next generation is stagnation.
o Legacy- what do you leave behind?
Leaving something behind for the next generation.
• Integrity v. Despair o Late adulthood (60s and older)
, Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
Pre-assessment Strategies
Competency 154.1.1: Perspectives and Theories
Theories of Development Study questions:
What are the key assumptions of the following theoretical perspectives?
A theory is an interrelated, coherent set of observations and ideas that help explain phenomenon.
Psychoanalytic and psychosocial theories- The psychoanalytic theories focus primarily on
the role of unconscious forces in understanding human development. Psychoanalytic
theorists also stress that early experience, particularly experiences with parents, shape
development.
o Freud (Psychosexual) o
Erikson (PsychoSocial)
Emphasis on Psychosocial
Lifespan- 8 stages; from infancy to late adulthood
Stages, discontinuity
Crisis- turning point
• Trust v. Mistrust o First year o
Warm, consistent care
• Autonomy v. Shame, Doubt o
Second year
o Independence: During this time, infants or toddlers are developing independence
and control in regard to their own body and impulses.
o Overprotected or overly critical- feelings of shame and doubt. Excessive
overprotection or overly critical parenting can lead to the experience of shame or
doubt in their own abilities.
Patience is key for caregivers during this stage, as children exercise their own
will.
• Initiative v. Guilt o 3-5 year
old: engage in active,
purposeful, and responsible
behavior.
o Making things happen: They discover they are persons in their own right, and
they use their new skills and perceptual, motor, cognitive, and language abilities
to make things happen.
, o Wider social world: They really enjoy interacting with their wider social world.
Feelings of guilt may arise though if the child is irresponsible or is made to feel
too anxious.
• Industry v. Inferiority o 6-12 years old
o Mastering knowledge, skills, and abilities: This stage coincides with the beginning of
formal education in many cultures.
The negative outcome that’s possible here is that the child may develop a
sense of inferiority if they feel incompetent or unproductive.
o Role of parents, peers, and school: So sensitive caregiving and sensitive responses
from educators is important for positive development during this time.
• Identity v. Role Confusion o Adolescence: During the adolescent years, teenagers
are figuring out who they are, what they are, and where they’re going,
o What is Identity? (Self-portrait) It is composed of many pieces. Values, beliefs,
goals, ideals.
• Intimacy v. Isolation o Early adulthood (20s and 30s)
o Experience the crisis or turning point of intimacy v. Isolation, is forming an intimate
adult partnership.
If young adults form healthy friendships and an intimate relationship with
another, intimacy will be achieved.
Erickson describes intimacy as finding oneself while losing oneself in another
person and it requires a commitment to that other person.
o Earlier to develop an intimate relationship in early adulthood may result in isolation.
Now take a moment to think about how the prior stages, and how the prior
stages were resolved, may impact development at this stage.
Intimate relationships are dependent on a good sense of who you are, or
identity, and a willingness to trust others.
• Generativity v. Stagnation o Middle adulthood (40s, 50s)
By generativity, Erickson means primarily a concern for helping the younger
generation to develop and lead useful lives. Or another way of saying that is
a sense of leaving a legacy.
Generativity can be expressed in many different ways, by parenting and
guiding your own children, or through work that feels impactful to you.
Other adults may experience generativity by service to their community or
through creative or artistic endeavors.
The feeling of having done nothing to help the next generation is stagnation.
o Legacy- what do you leave behind?
Leaving something behind for the next generation.
• Integrity v. Despair o Late adulthood (60s and older)
