3 Jun 2022

356

The Early Theories of Human Development

Format: APA

Academic level: College

Paper type: Essay (Any Type)

Words: 527

Pages: 2

Downloads: 0

Brief Description of Freud, Erick and Piaget Theories 

Sigmund Freud came up with psychoanalytic theory which holds that, individual behaviors are caused by the interaction of mind components namely id, ego and superego. The three components often get into a conflict, and in an attempt to strike a balance, people behave differently (Newman & Newman, 2015). However, the way the three components interact change as one grows. According to Freud, the conflicts undergo a series of five stages namely oral, anal, genital, latency and phallic stage. 

Erik Erikson came up with the psychosocial development stages. He introduced eight stages, with five stages happening until when one reaches 18 years, and the other three taking one into adulthood (Stewart, Ranis & Samman, 2018). Erik’s theory maintains that, each stage leads to healthy personality and one acquires the basic virtues. 

It’s time to jumpstart your paper!

Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.

Get custom essay

Jean Piaget came up with the theory of cognitive development. He delved on the way a child establishes a mental fabric of the world (Newman & Newman, 2015). He discarded the notion that intelligence was a fixed virtue, and held that, individuals realize maturity through interacting with environment and biological maturation via cognitive development (Stewart, Ranis & Samman, 2018). 

Major Similarities and Differences 

The three theorists had brilliant ideas regarding the way humans develop. One major similarity is found in their arguments that humans underwent various stages. Freud held that the inner forces influenced human development. He observed that sexual being was very elaborate within a human being, and so, he related everything with sex. Erikson took up Freud’s idea and enriched them (Berk & Laura, 2017). He added the stages up to adult years. In contrast, Piaget came up with four cognitive stages, which determined what a child can achieve. While the three theorists took up same approach of explaining the way humans develop, their focus differed. Erikson focused on social and self orientation, Freud focused on sex, and Piaget based his theory on child’s senses and ability. 

How the Theories Were Developed, Relation to Race, Gender and Socioeconomic Status and Other Areas of Diversity 

The three theories were developed based on the needs of human beings. Erikson argued that, based on socio-historical events, people vary across lifespan as the body age, grow, and coupled with change in expectations, responsibilities and opportunities. The theories of development can be affected by socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic refers to the financial and social status of people in the society (Newman & Newman, 2015). A child’s socioeconomic status is determined on their parents, since they are the one responsible financially for the child early stages of development. Cognitively, whenever children are exposed to good education, they develop their language and sharpen their cognitive abilities. Socioeconomic status also affects the way one’s mind and health is developed. In that sense, Freud and Erik theories are demonstrated well in a human being, whenever their economic status is positive (Stewart, Ranis & Samman, 2018). Race and gender are equally related to the human development theories. For instance, Freud’s psychoanalytic approach holds that, people tend to push events and activities in their unconscious mind. Later, the events are manifested in their future life. In that sense, whenever individuals are subjected to acts of racism at tender age, they push the same in their unconscious mind, and when subjected to the same at advanced stage, they recall and react towards them (Berk & Laura, 2017). They develop a defensive mechanism towards the demeaning treatment meted on them owing to their racial background. The way boys and girls are treated from a tender age, is manifested in their lives later. They start understanding the way society developed sexed roles, and they start understanding that, the world exposes one to various gender choices. 

References  

Berk, L. & Laura, B. (2017). Development Through the Lifespan. New York, NY: Pearson Education 

Newman, B. & Newman, P. (2015). Theories of Human Development. 2 nd Ed. New York, NY: Psychology Press 

Stewart, F., Ranis, G. & Samman, E. (2018). Advancing Human Development: Theory and Practice. New York, NY: Oxford University Press 

Illustration
Cite this page

Select style:

Reference

StudyBounty. (2023, September 14). The Early Theories of Human Development.
https://studybounty.com/the-early-theories-of-human-development-essay

illustration

Related essays

We post free essay examples for college on a regular basis. Stay in the know!

19 Sep 2023
Psychology

How to Do a SWOT Analysis for Your Business

Running head: SWOT ANALYSIS 1 SWOT Analysis Strengths Strong communication skills Strong creativity and analytical skills I am able to think critically I have emotional intelligence, which helps me to relate...

Words: 284

Pages: 1

Views: 74

19 Sep 2023
Psychology

Letter of Consent for Research Study

Running head: LETTER OF CONSENT 1 Letter of Consent for Research Study Dear (Participant’s Name): You are invited to participate in a research study on the Routine Activity theory and the hypothesis that the lack...

Words: 283

Pages: 1

Views: 359

17 Sep 2023
Psychology

Mental Representations and the Mind-Brain Relationship

Often, contemporary controversies underlie the interpretation of the mental representations and the mind-brain relationships through concepts such as monolism, dualism and exclusivity. In my view, the dualism concept...

Words: 1796

Pages: 7

Views: 168

17 Sep 2023
Psychology

Building a Healthy Marriage

Although sometimes marriage can be problematic, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences for couples. For instance, couples in a satisfying marriage enjoy happiness, a long and enjoyable life, personal...

Words: 1266

Pages: 5

Views: 344

17 Sep 2023
Psychology

Devastating Impacts of Domestic Violence

The issue of domestic violence is a growing concern in the present society. Women serve as the key victims of domestic violence, although men and children also feel the devastating effects as well. When couples are...

Words: 2437

Pages: 9

Views: 77

17 Sep 2023
Psychology

How Emotions Affect Marketing and Sales

The most appealing advertisements use the audience’s emotions as their leverage. They instill fear and the psychology of pain, moderately, to their subjects and use that to their advantage. To remain ethical, most of...

Words: 1113

Pages: 4

Views: 96

illustration

Running out of time?

Entrust your assignment to proficient writers and receive TOP-quality paper before the deadline is over.

Illustration