Life Span Perspective - Research Paper Example

Life Span Perspective Life Span Life span development is a process that begins from conception and continues until an individual dies. The progress starts with the emergence of a fetus from a single celled organism where upon the child is born, the environment to influence him or her development in diverse mainly depending on what happens around an individual. Lifespan development is an intra individual changes corresponding to age (Cherry, 2012). The development occurs in a manner showing the level of functioning.

Researchers have contended that, life cycle consists of 25 years of era. The developmental periods encompass childhood, adolescence, early adulthood and late adult hood where each distinct stage comprises of changes that are evident in one’s life, and it takes six years for a complete change. Study of human development began with a scientist known as Darwin. Lifespan perspective development suggests that, significant modification takes place throughout development, and it entails the development of humans through multidimensional, plastic and multidisciplinary stages (Cherry, 2012).

Mainly, development encompasses growth, maintenance and regulation. The changes that occur in an individual ought to be in a manner that connects to culture and occurrences. Perspective development implies that, all diverse changes that occur in an individual’s life is significant since they usually contribute immensely on one’s character and other traits that constitute an all round person. Theories of a Life Time Development Motivational Theory Many people have a sense to be actively involved in modifying their lives.

They follow developmental paths that identify the long-term goals of an individual. These patterns disengage individuals from goals that seem unattainable despite the challenge that they will encounter while pursuing their goals. This is because a sane human being is capable of focusing to attain a certain intention besides staying on course. For many years, the adaptive capacity to a situation is the regulation of motivation (Cherry, 2012). An individual, developmental potential is because of mastering the setbacks of regulating motivational process.

This is possible only via observing and adapting to personal goals that reflect to life changes. An individual ought to stay ahead of the game by anticipating the challenges he might encounter while pursuing one’s goals. Psychosocial Theory Psychosocial development theory is among best theories of personality mainly utilized in psychology where Erikson contends personality usually develops in a series of stages (Cherry, 2012). The argument element in psychosocial theory by Erikson is the development of ego identity (Cherry, 2012).

This is conscious of sense developed by an individual via social interaction. Erikson suggests that individual’s ego identity changes constantly due to new experiences and diverse people one encounters. She also contended that, competency is a motivating factor of behavior; hence theory assuming the basis that, every stage is for attaining certain competence. Heredity and Environment An individual’s genetics usually play a key role in one’s physical development where certain physical characteristics usually rely on them, for illustration, height.

Researchers in psychology are, however, interested in dimensions that are not genetically determined. These traits include how a person feels or thinks when influenced by the external environment. The extent of genetic determination varies from one dimension to another. There are questions that arise regarding how genetics together with the environment can influence a person’s characteristics or behavior. Nature refers to heredity, which is a genetic construction of an individual and encompasses genetic materials that are specific besides developing diverse human characteristics (Powell, 2012).

Nature, therefore, is the biological capabilities of a person that unfold themselves throughout life whereas nurture entails environmental factors exposed to the person since the time of conception all through to death. Nurture includes both physical and social environments where its factors vary from their immediate contact to the individual. There are multiple layers of forces, which range from immediate to the larger contexts and contribute immensely in shaping one’s character. Nature Vs Nurture Some scientists argue that, people behave in certain manners because of genetic predisposition, and this is what they refer to as nature (Powell, 2012).

Other scientists suggest that people behave in certain ways due to the knowledge they have attained, hence the mode referred as nurture. The understanding of the human genome has proven that both sides are right because nature offers person inborn abilities while nurture molds these abilities as one continue to grow. Psychoanalytical Theory Sigmund Freud unveiled the psychoanalytical theory while working with patients suffering from mental illness. He came to ascertain that, childhood experience and unconscious part of the mind influence the behavior of individuals.

Through his observations, he came up with a theory through a series of psychosexual development. Freund deemed conflicts that occur during one’s life capable of influencing his or her behavior and personality. The theory had an immense impact and influence during the first half of the 20th century. The three elements of personality include the Id, ego and super ego. Id is the only factor of personality that a person acquires from the time he is born. This component of personality is unconscious and comprises of archaic behaviors.

Ego is the factor of reality that deals with issues of reality. Freud suggested that the ego develops from the id and process impulses of the id to an acceptable manner in real life situation. Reference Cherry, K. (2012). Psychoanalytic Theories of Development. Retrieved on September 18 2012 from, Cherry, K. (2012). The Id, Ego and Superego. Retrieved on September 18 2012 from, Powell, K. (2012). Nature VS nurture. Retrieved on September 18 2012 from,