StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Developmental psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Global Perspectives and Social Change [Name of Student] [Name of Institution] Shift of Development Psychology to the East Whether psychological theories of human development originating from the West could be applied to other regions such as the Eastern spheres has been an extensively debated issue in academic as well as professional circles…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.9% of users find it useful
Developmental psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Developmental psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change"

Global Perspectives and Social Change of Shift of Development Psychology to the East Whether psychological theories of human development originating from the West could be applied to other regions such as the Eastern spheres has been an extensively debated issue in academic as well as professional circles. What has become clear in this debate is the fact that in many instances, psychological events are bound and defined by the immediate culture. In other words, psychological theories developed in a given culture may not necessarily be generalised and used for discuss the customs or behaviours of people from a different culture (Greenfield, 2009).

For instance, it is agreeable that psychology as a science and its theories mainly developed in the North America and Europe. Obviously, the data used to develop psychology and its theories were obtained from Western people and culture. It is thus asserted that it is only via the identification of culture-specific aspects of life, observed in the mainstream psychology. Then, new concepts about the general usage from various cultures should be adopted. Luckily, different stages and types of interactions across cultures from the West and the East have resulted in the application of Western development psychology and theories to Eastern scenarios (Greenfield, 2009).

However, to be successful in using Western development psychology theories in Eastern cultures, several strategies are recommended. First, it is of the essence that indigenous psychological theories are developed on the basis of the cultural, native and ethnic aspects of the people from the East. The second, strategy is advocacy for the use of many methods in which both insiders and outsiders are incorporated to help achieve multiple perspectives and comprehensive and inclusive understanding (Miao & Wang, 2003).

Third, it would be of huge benefit if development psychologists translated the practical and episodic understandings and perceptions of the Eastern people into analytical and understandable knowledge. Scientifically, these strategies do not propose absolute relativism or many psychologies; instead, the use of multiple perspectives to psychology is envisaged (Greenfield, 2009). The attempt to attain universal psychological approaches and theories, which can be practically and theoretically validated, is one reason psychology has shifted from being West-oriented to universality (Greenfield, 2009).

The second reason global perspectives to development psychology are getting more favoured compared to Western-focused psychology is the apparent critical role played by distinct cultures in shaping social changes in different stages of human development. The third reason development psychology is being shifted to the East is the realization by stakeholders, especially researchers, that the field of psychology requires to be internationalized for an improved understanding of the universality of the human mind.

These researchers are concerned that psychology tends to understand the functioning and the structure of the human mind on the basis of centuries-old Western-derived philosophical assumptions. There has also been the tendency of past psychological researchers to take cultural twists to mean universal principles given that most researchers have been either Americans or Europeans (Miao & Wang, 2003). Hence, the shift from Western to Eastern-based development psychology mainly stems from the fact that the human mind is created, developed and maintained as a person participates in different social settings and worlds, which are set in unique countries of origin, regions, ethnicity, religion, gender and professions (Miao & Wang, 2003).

Possibilities of Positive Social Change in Adolescence Perhaps adolescence is the most interesting and pivotal stage of development in human beings’ lifespan due to the fact that it is the stage at which a child becomes an adult. Evidently, there are numerous social and emotional changes characterizing this stage of development. These include changes in interaction with family and community. Notably, every adolescent’s social changes are unique due to a unique combination of experiences, genes, brain development, community and cultures (Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2004).

There are several strategies through which the possibilities if positive social changes can be attained in adolescents. Among the social changes that need to be harnessed include search for identity, search for independence, responsibilities, new experiences, differentiating right and wrong, developing and search for sexual identity and adopting different methods of communication. To increase the possibilities of positive social change in adolescents, caregivers, parents, guardians and teachers need to implement certain strategies and practices.

First, these parties should be good role models to help adolescents form and maintain positive relations with their colleagues, partners, peers and classmates (Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2004). It is noteworthy that adolescents imitate their caregivers and parents’ personal relationships; hence they must first ensure their relationships are the right ones. Parents and caregivers should also ensure that their children’s friends are of good character. Listening to and respect an adolescent’s feelings, choices and perspectives is the other strategy for increasing their possibilities to realise positive social change.

Importantly, parents and other influential people in the lives of adolescents should be open and clear about their feelings with regards to adolescents’ choices and ways of life (Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2004). Parents and guardians are also expected to be role models when it comes to dealing with difficult emotional situations and avoid giving adolescents the silent treatment. In addition, adolescents need to be addressed about relationship, sexuality and sex issues. It is thus imperative upon parents and other caregivers settle on the right time and place to talk to teenagers about such emotional issues.

Social change possibilities may also be improved by parents’ reinforcement of the positive aspects of an adolescent’s social and emotional development instead of only focusing on their physical aspects. References Greenfield, P. M. (2009). “Linking Social Change and Developmental Change: Shifting Pathways of Human Development.” Developmental Psychology, 45(2); 401-418. Miao, X., and Wang, W. (2003). “A Century of Chinese Developmental Psychology.” International Journal of Psychology, 38(5); 258-273.

Pinquart, M., and Silbereisen, R. K. (2004). “Human Development in Times of Social Change: Theoretical Considerations and Research Needs.” International Journal of Behavioral Development, 28(4); 289-298.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Developmental psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1492932-developmental-psychology-global-perspectives-and
(Developmental Psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change Essay)
https://studentshare.org/psychology/1492932-developmental-psychology-global-perspectives-and.
“Developmental Psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1492932-developmental-psychology-global-perspectives-and.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Developmental psychology-Global Perspectives and Social Change

Positive Psychology as a Field of Study

There are quite a number of explanations behind such focus on aspects that are negative; the urgency of emotions that are negative prompts a change in behavior as well as self-reflection.... This paper “Positive Psychology as a Field of Study” is a study that encompasses a coaching plan which is aimed at helping develop a better understanding of psychological orientations....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Sociology and Psychology for Social Workers

According to the International Federation of Social Workers, the profession of social work is aimed at promoting social change, resolving problems inherent in human relationships and liberating and empowering people in order to enhance their overall well-being....  Social workers must be knowledgeable of theories of social sciences such as behaviorism and social learning theory, systems theory, psychodynamic theory, psychosocial developmental theory, social exchange theory and transpersonal theory....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Social Psychology Theories

On the other hand, Lewin's theory of change explains that, the entire process in terms of facilitating as well as its associated hindering factors that individual or group encounters can consequently bring change.... Together with this process, the organization will enable to meet human anxieties, create the new equilibrium supporting the change.... Fears about coping up of their roles and responsibilities, persons promoting the changes, or perhaps, fear about the technology that the change can bring about....
7 Pages (1750 words) Literature review

Sociology of Health, Illness, and Well-being

On the other hand, they help proffer a better understanding of the social processes of health and mental wellbeing (Callahan 2014, 34)In Karl Marx's sociological perspectives, materialism emerges as a key concept.... The social philosopher is a renowned critic of the modern division of labor and the emergent socio-economic disparities of capitalism industrialization as witnessed in the free market enterprise economy.... arx's social philosophy centers on three key ideas: material conditions, alienation, and dialectical materialism....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Philosophies and Values in Education

he importance of public schools in the development of the Victorian social elite is great as these schools educated young men from middle and upper-middle classes to enter elite circles.... The author of this coursework "Philosophies and Values in Education" describes main aspects of philosophy teaching....
15 Pages (3750 words) Coursework

The Way in Which Cognitive and Social Factors Contribute to the Development of the Theory of Mind

The paper "The Way in Which Cognitive and social Factors Contribute to the Development of the Theory of Mind" states that children exhibit earlier consciousness of mental states and conditions if their mothers talk about feelings and want, and offer explanations whenever correcting misconduct.... ocial development psychology focuses on antecedents such as parental practices and cultural contexts of child outcomes like academic and social wellbeing.... Biological theorists like Freud Sigmund (Kessenich &Morrison, 2013) posit that biologically and hereditarily set patterns of change have a superior impact than environmental influences....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Positive Psychology: Cognitive and Emotional Strategies

"Positive Psychology: Cognitive and Emotional Strategies" paper is a study that encompasses a coaching plan which is aimed at helping the author develops a better understanding of the author's psychological orientations.... This plan is composed of two interventions cognitive and emotional strategies....
17 Pages (4250 words) Research Paper

Trouble with Educational Psychology

This paper ''Case Perspective'' tells about Darren has had trouble with his education due to his tough social background and lack of supporting parents.... With the father incarcerated for a violent crime five years ago, the mother is rarely home nor does she even bother to attend parents evening to gauge and make a follow up on the performance of the boy....
5 Pages (1250 words) Report
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us