Lifespan development - Essay Example

Theorists and researchers in lifespan development postulate that every major phase in life has its developmental accomplishments and challenges. The body, for that reason, undergoes adaptive processes at each of these phases throughout the lifespan (Berk 2013). It is clear that this is an individual rather than a family approach to development. It basically entails comparison of the development of an individual to that of others and through the various life stages of the individual. These researchers anticipate unique developmental agenda in each age period of life from infancy to childhood to adolescence and to adulthood and later to old age (Kail & Cavanaugh 2013).

This should contribute uniquely to the past, present and future with regards to ontogenetic development.One of the developmental psychology theorists, Erik Erikson, argues on the availability of great opportunity for growth and development in the life of any individual. This theorist emphasizes on adolescence as crucial for identity development (Austrian 2008). Just like Freud, another developmental psychology theorist, Erikson argues that personality development follows a predetermined order and builds upon every previous phase.

Javis (2004) refers to this as the epigenic principle. This maturation timetable, as referred to as by McLeod (2008), is an integrated set of varied abilities and skills functioning simultaneously in an individual. However, focusing on children’s socialisation and its effect on the sense of self differentiates his work from that of Freud which focused on sexual development.According to Erikson, just as argued by Freud, each developmental stage is marred by crises. The theorist argues these crises to be naturally psychosocial as they entail an individual’s psychological needs conflicting with social needs, that is, psycho and social respectively.

Completing each of these stages successfully brings forth a healthy personality and imparts basic virtues (Bornstein, Vandell & Rook 2011). These basic virtues refer to characteristic strengths which could be used by the ego for resolution of subsequent crises. On the other hand, Kihlstrom (2013) observes that unsuccessful completion of a stage reduces the ability to complete subsequent stages. This results in an unhealthy sense of self and personality. Nonetheless, these stages could be resolved in future time.

ReferencesAustrian, SG (Ed.). Developmental theories through the life cycle, 2nd edn, Columbia University Press, West Sussex.Berk, LE 2013, Exploring lifespan development, 3rd edn, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.Bornstein, MH, Vandell, DL & Rook, KS 2011, Lifespan development: infancy through adulthood, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA.Javis, M 2004, Psychodynamic psychology: classical theory and contemporary research, Thomson, Stamford, Connecticut.Kail, RV & Cavanaugh, JC 2013, Human development: a life-span view, 6th edn, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA.

Kihlstrom, JF 2013, Is Freud still alive? No, not really, September 12, viewed 5 May 2014, http://socrates.berkeley.edu/McLeod, SA 2008, Erik Erikson, viewed 5 May 2014 http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html