Life has a way about itself to take us through trials, tribulations, and a whirlwind of feelings and emotions. Can you think back to your childhood and remember what you thought or how you felt about the future? Surely, different questions were abundant. Like, where would you be in a year, five years, or maybe even ten years. Throughout the years these thoughts and questions will change, but some may stay the same. The study of how individuals change and stay the same over time is known as human development (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). Of course, aging will not be perfect, and there will be influences, whether bad or good, which we will encounter. These influences have been referred to as issues of human development. Of course, we question why things are the way they are, and why they happen. This is why scientists have drawn up different theories on why human development occurs the way it does. These theories include psychodynamic theory, learning theory, cognitive theory, ecological and systems theory, and theories that involve a life-span perspective (selective optimization with compensating and the life-course perspective) (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016).
While all of the given theories are great and hold much detail, the best choice to support my viewpoint is Erikson’s theory. Throughout our life span, there are natural emotions that we will experience, and these are given through Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). I believe there are two ways in which we are developed, the way we are raised, and what role social influence plays on us. Although your parents may raise you a particular way does not mean this is the way you stay your whole life. Once you get older you will be able to draw your conclusions. These conclusions will be based on the society in which you are brought up. Growing up, my mother’s beliefs and opinions were bestowed on me involuntarily, because I lived under her roof and had to respect her. However, when I began attending school I had a bit more freedom and it allowed me to think for myself, and draw my conclusions. These conclusions were drawn based on outside influence and thought. Erikson’s theory gives a predetermined order of how the personality develops from infancy to adulthood (McLeod, S. A., 2018). Ultimately, Erikson’s theory shows that individuals go through different stages throughout life, but from one phase to the next we have to handle these stages in a great manner. For example, growing up my parents divorced, and this was not an easy transition. However, I felt that I managed it well for my age, and I was able to move into my adult life learning from this situation in my life.
Scientists not only developed different theories of development but also structured the biopsychosocial framework. Four forces have been concluded in the reasoning behind how individuals develop; biological forces, psychological forces, sociocultural forces, and life-cycle forces (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). Have you ever wondered why you look like your parents or resemble your siblings? Well, simply put this is a biological force. Biological forces are all the genetic, and health-related factors in which play a role in your development (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). When you go to the doctor they ask you about your health history, and they sometimes may even question if something runs in your family. However, I cannot attest to any family history information, because my mother was adopted. However, I do know the health information of my mother. My mother has scoliosis, and this is a genetic factor that could affect members of my family.
Psychological forces are those that we use to describe ourselves. “In general, psychological forces are all the internal cognitive, emotional, personality, perceptual, and related factors that influence behavior,” (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016, p. 9). Therefore, when someone asks me to tell them about myself, I would automatically begin by telling them I am outgoing, personable, and very genuine. The items I have listed off are t psychological forces that I offer.
Living in the United States is very eye-opening and breathtaking, because there are so many different cultures, and ethnicities. This force is based on the society in which we live in, not to mention parents, teachers, friends, as well as school, television, and work (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). Although some may not feel as if society plays a role on their lives, it does. I remember growing up the trend was bell-bottom main jeans, and then straight leg jeans came out. I remember my mother telling me that she used to wear those when she was growing up. Therefore, as you can see things come full circle, and if one person does something then others seem to follow the trend.
Finally, we have life-cycle forces, which means that one situation my affect someone in a completely different way than the next. Have you ever heard timing is everything? This is the perfect saying for the life-cycle force. Pregnancy is a perfect example of this force, it may be joyous for one family, but for the next it may not be great timing, causing it to not be a joyous moment at all (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). An example of this is my case is when I joined the Army with my best friend, it was a great moment. However, we were supposed to leave at the same time, but I left twenty days after we enlisted and she left six months after we enlisted.
Psychosocial forces ties into the Erikson’s theory, because Erikson’s theory states that personality development revolves around the interaction of an internal maturational plan and external societal demands (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). Life has a way of taking us through loops, and turns to get us to the end. However, in everything,straight-leg there is a lesson and greater meaning. Scientists have many theories, and issues that revolve around human development, but in my opinion there is not a single one that can cleahandlesly develop how all individuals work. Each individual is different, and handle situations differently. A mixture of each theory and issue may be the answer to defining the proper answer.
References
- Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2016). Human development: A life-span view (7th ed.). Australia: CENGAGE Learning.
- Mcleod, S. A. (2018, May 3). Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development. Retrieved January 25, 2019, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
