PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Psychological Development
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Psychological Development
This course has provided some important insight in regards to psychological education. The course has enabled me to understand and apply essential topics in my learning. These include motivation development as well a diversity and assessment. The course has enabled me to relate theoretical framework to empirical research. Now I can comfortably apply them in the classroom setting as well as in life. Besides, the course has enabled me to understand my own experience better and at the same time conceptualize my future practices in my career.
For instance, I have learned of the three theories about psychological development. The three approaches include Erickson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development, Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development and Piaget’s Theory. Erickson’s theory has eight stages, Kohlberg’s theory has six stages while Piaget’s theory has four phases.
In Erickson’s approach, I got more interested in the first four stages of childhood development. I realized that the choice of nannies we make is crucial in a child’s development. If the child gets reliable, consistent and predictable care then they tend to develop trust and if not so, fear (Erikson, 1980). I also realized that children’s numerous questions should not be a nuisance to parents because it makes them have feelings of guilt. From Kohlberg’s theory, I learned that most children would strive to do good to avoid punishment from their parents.

In the Individualism and Exchange stage, children learn that different people have different views on various issues. I also noticed that most adolescents and adults would try to create good interpersonal relationships to please others and as one grows older, they develop personal principles and learn to appreciate the fact that different people have varying moral guidelines.
What fascinated me most of Piaget’s theory is the fact that during the sensorimotor stage children learn of objects by use after which they later learn of language and symbolic reasoning. When individuals grow old, their thinking broadens, and they get to explore more issues.
In summary, I can say that the three psychologists have different theories regarding psychological development but to some extent, they are related. For instance, Kohlberg’s argument is an adaptation of Piaget’s theory.
Reference
Erikson, E. H. (1980). Elements of a psychoanalytic theory of psychosocial development. The course of life: Psychoanalytic contributions toward understanding personality development, 1, 11-61.