Chapter 1 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is a Theory?
A theory is a system of ideas intended to explain some sort of human existence; it describes, explains, and predicts behavior.
They need consistent verification through experimentation.
Lifespan Perspective
- Development is lifelong
- Development is multidimensional & multidirectional
- Development is plastic
- Development is influenced by multiple interacting forces
What’re the three interacting forces that impact development according to the lifespan perspective?
- Age-graded
- History-graded
- Non-normative
Age-graded influence
Events that all occur during the same age in a society.
Ex: Getting a Driver’s License
History-graded influence
Development is strongly impacted by the historical events occurring during that time.
Ex: The Great Depression
Non-normative influences
Irregular events that occur to some people but not everybody.
Ex: Child goes to hockey camp
What’re the three domains of the lifespan development perspective?
Cognitive, Physical, & Emotional/Social
G. Stanley Hall & Arnold Gesell
Maturational Process – genetically programed system of naturally unfolding process
Normative Process – to describe “typical” behavior, you must test a large number of people across situations. Once this data is collected, you can discuss “stages”
Developed a system of questionnaires for different ages.
Helped parents to know about child development at every age regarding what to do and what to expect.
1st Psychologists to survey large population and create a normal distribution/bell curve.
Psychoanalytic Perspective
Development is moving through a series of stages confronting conflicts between biological drives and social expectations.
The person’s ability to reach resolution of these conflicts shows how much they can learn, how much they can manage their anxiety, and how well they can make and maintain relationships.
Sigmund Freud
1800s Austrian neurologist whom invented psychoanalysis
Focused on the unconscious mind & examined dreams and repressed sexual desires
His theory is that parents must manage their child’s aggressive and sexual behaviors for proper development
Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development
Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital
Oral Stage
0-18 months
Focus: Mouth, tongue, lips
Hurdles: Weening off breast feeding or formula
Fixation: Smoking, overeating
Anal Stage
1-3 years
Focus: Anus
Hurdles: Toilet training
Fixation: Orderliness, Messiness
Phallic Stage
3-6 years
Focus: Genitals
Hurdles: Resolving Oedipus/Electra Complex
Fixation: Deviancy, Sexual Dysfunction
Latency Stage
6-11 years
Focus: None
Hurdles: Developing defense mechanisms
Fixation: None
Genital Stage
11+ years
Focus: None
Hurdles: Reaching Full Sexual Maturity
Fixation: If all stages are met, then the person should be sexually matured and mentally healthy.
Erik Erikson
German development psychologist and psychoanalyst who learned psychoanalysis from Anna Freud.
Also studied Montessori method
Psychosocial Theory – besides the ego mediating desires between the Id and Superego, the ego must also be actively developing and growing, learning new skills and contributiing to society
Erikson’s First Stage
1st year of life: Trust vs Mistrust
Favorable: Faith in the environment and future events
Unfavorable: Suspicion, fear of future events
Erikson’s Second Stage
2nd year of life: Autonomy vs. Doubt
Favorable: A sense of self control & adequacy
Unfavorable: Feelings of shame & self-doubt
Erikson’s Third Stage
3-5 years: Initiative vs. Guilt
Favorable: Ability to be a self-starter, to initiate one’s own activities.
Unfavorable: A sense of guilt & inadequacy to be on one’s own.
Erikson’s Fourth Stage
6th year to puberty: Industry vs. Inferiority
Favorable: Ability to understand how things work, to organize and understand
Unfavorable: A sense of inferiority and guilt at understanding & organizing
Erikson’s Fifth Stage
Adolescence: Identity vs. Confusion
Favorable: Seeing one’s self as a unique and integrated person
Unfavorable: Confusion over who and what one really is
Erikson’s Sixth Stage
Early Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Favorable: Ability to make commitments with others, to love
Unfavorable: Inability to form affectionate relationship
Erikson’s Seventh Stage
Middle Age: Generatively vs. Self-absorption
Favorable: Concern for family and society in general
Unfavorable: Concern only for one’s self - one’s own well-being and prosperity.
