Psychosocial Theory - Essay Example

Psychosocial Theory Key Concepts of Personality Formation Provide the key Concepts’ Definitions. Stages of Development: A developmental stage isa period of life that is characterized by a specific underlying organization. The theory describes eight stages, and each stage has unique qualities that differentiate it from the rest (Newman & Newman, 2007).Psychosocial Crisis: A Psychosocial crisis is a challenge that is specific to a particular stage of development; the effective resolution of which leads to the development of a quality that is valuable in responding to further experiences.

An ineffective resolution of the crisis leads to disruptions that affect the course of personality development (Newman & Newman, 2007).Radius of Significant Relationships: Significant relationships are the cannel through which age related cultural and community expectations are communicated. The significant relationships change for each stage of development and influence the way a crisis is experienced and resolved (Newman & Newman, 2007).Prime Adaptive Ego Qualities: a Prime adaptive ego quality is a quality that is developed by an individual through consistent efforts to face and cope with the psychosocial crisis of the period.

These qualities provide the individual with a sense of competence and well being (Newman & Newman, 2007).Core Pathologies: when an individual’s coping methods are unsuccessful and the challenges of the period are not adequately mastered, the individual is likely to form maladaptive orientations called Core Pathologies (Newman & Newman, 2007).Explanation of Disordered Personality: 1. How does this theory explain the development of personality disorder as a group? According to the theory of psychosocial development, an individual may develop a disorder if they are unable to effectively resolve a conflict that presents itself at some stage of development.

This unresolved conflict later manifests itself in the form of behavioral and cognitive disorders.2. Does it support the notion that there are such things as personality disorders? If so, what does it say about them? If not, then how does this theory explain abhorrent behavior? The theory does not reject the existence of personality disorders. according to the theory, pathologies may develop when the individual is unable to resolve a crisis associated with a particular period of life. The core pathologies that develop as a consequence of this act as guiding principles to thought and behavior, and may even obstruct the resolution of crises associated with later stages (Newman & Newman, 2007).

This can lead to dysfunctional ways of coping with situations and thus to a disordered personality.Validity: 1. Does this theory address what it says it does? This theory means to address human development and the manner in which an individual progresses through life. It provides a comprehensive explanation of the individual’s development; and the issues that may become associated with the same (Newman & Newman, 2007). The theory also addresses the challenges faced by individuals at different points in their life.

Thus, it does address what it says it does – Human development.2. Can the theory be tested? This theory has been tested to some extent, but there is debate about the extent to which empirical results support the theory as a whole. Many of the elements – like the presence of ‘conflicts’ is difficult to test empirically, and the evidence for this is often indirect. But over the recent years, empirical evidence has been found for many core principles of the theory (Newman & Newman, 2007).3. What are the results of the testing?

The empirical evidence points to the fact that resolution of conflicts in adolescence and early adulthood is associated with positive interpersonal experiences. Evidence has also been found for core concepts like trust, autonomy, well-being, coping and identity achievement among others (Newman & Newman, 2007). Thus, many of the elements that comprise of the Psychosocial theory have been verified through research 4. Are there any studies on the validity of the theory? What do they show about it?

A number of studies have been carried out that test the validity of the Psychosocial theory. There have been a number of studies between the 1960’s and the present that have traced the path of the resolution of the Psychosocial crises and their effects and opperationalized many concepts central to the theory (Newman & Newman, 2007). These studies have verified the value of these concepts and the progress of human development from the psychosocial perspective.5. What does the test say about the theory’s validity?

Empirical studies have verified the validity of a number of core concepts that make up the psychosocial theory. Research with instruments that study human development from a psychosocial perspective have verified that the theory is applicable to a number of situations, and it offers valuable information that can be used in the development and use of interventions (Newman & Newman, 2007). Thus, it is possible to say that many aspects of the psychosocial theory have been found to be valid.ReferencesNewman, B.M. & Newman, P. (2007). Theories of Human Development.

New Jersey: Erlbaum Associates Inc./Routledge